Orthodox Graffiti by RAV ARYEH Z

See Page 46 See Page 4

$1.00 WWW.5TJT.COM VOL. 11 NO. 40 22 SIVAN 5771 jre ,arp JUNE 24, 2011 See Page 17 INSIDE GENTLEMEN, START YOUR CROCK-POTS FROM THE EDITOR

SummerSee Pages Travel 58–60, 76-80Section B Y LARRY GORDON The Unexpected Silence Doni Joszef 23 Dashed Dishes On Pollard Rabbi Meir Orlian 38 It was painful to watch the No More Excuses days pass with silent inaction. Eli Shapiro 68 The lack of words, however, spoke a great deal about the true Spying Out The Land feelings and the deep-seated Shmuel Katz 76 sentiments that lie in the heart of President Barack Obama when it comes to Israel and perhaps the Jewish community. At the least, it is very troubling and

A scene from the popular JEP–LI Cholent Bowl, held last Thursday evening in the Five Towns. See Page 65 Continued on Page 4

Building A Torah Home HEARD IN THE BAGEL STORE In The Age Of Scandals Orthodox Graffiti BY RAV ARYEH Z. GINZBERG shtetlach in Eastern Europe in CHOFETZ CHAIM TORAH CENTER the 19th century, parents have BY LARRY GORDON find the paper, take it home, and Lev Leytzan: Red Nose Awards. always had to struggle and peruse its usually informative See Page 40 Raising children in a healthy expend much energy in an For this newspaper, there are contents. Torah home and environment attempt to shield their children about 200 dispenser boxes on But these brown and black has never been easy, and most from the influences of the streets throughout Long Island newspaper dispenser boxes are often it has been extremely harmful environment that and the five boroughs of New more than that. When they are challenging. Whether it was existed all around them. While York City. The fact is rather empty, which is usually ancient Bavel; during the days no doubt many were success- innocuous and inconsequential. Monday through Wednesday, of Hillel and Shamai; in the ful, our painful history attests It’s simply a circulation tool to they serve as inanimate ambas- streets of Vilna in the time of make it more convenient for the Vilna Gaon; or in the small Continued on Page 14 readers and potential readers to Continued on Page 10 YG5T’s Big Breakfast Awakening AMERICA At Twilight GETS IT Grand Siyum at Yeshiva of Far Rockaway. See Page 40 From The Other Side BY RABBI AVI SHAFRAN Of The Bench BY DAVID J. SEIDEMANN, ESQ. Many people seemed happy to treat President Obama’s How will you spend your speeches last month on the glory years? What will you do Middle East and Israeli Prime when you no longer have to Minister Netanyahu’s before catch the early morning train Congress as some sort of sports Rav Yitzchok Knobel, Rabbi Dr. Aaron Glatt, Dr. Randy Makovsky (Keser to Penn Station? Is it ever too tournament, rooting and scor- Torah Awardee), and Rav Moshe Zev Katzenstein at the Yeshiva Gedolah of the Five Towns annual breakfast. See Page 60 Continued on Page 20 Continued on Page 22

Geva Rapp of Panim el Panim. See Page 62

CANDLE LIGHTING June 24 – 8:11 PM July 1 – 8:11 PM 2 June 24, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 24, 2011 3 FROM THE EDITOR Continued from Front Cover

quite distressing. The president rarely misses an opportunity to speak about the American dedication to the rights of the individual anywhere in the world to live free and with dignity. He has expressed that concern about citizens of our country dealing with economic hardships to innocent Libyan citizens placed in harm’s way by a despotic regime and America’s obligation to act on their behalf. He is steadfast in his insistence that we as Americans and that he as our elected leader do the right things no matter how difficult, costly, or unpopular they may be. If the president feels that Jonathan Pollard did not deserve compassionate leave to attend his father’s funeral, then he should have been courageous enough to simply express his position on the matter. Why hide behind the silence? The deafening quiet is an affront to all of us—that is, all decent and civilized human beings. Obama, however, time and again uses and manipulates systems—in this case the bureaucratic prison system—to promote what is overall rapidly becoming his increasingly unpopular agenda. Barack Obama on Monday refused to allow Pollard to attend his father’s funeral in Indiana for two reasons. One is that he didn’t have to do it by law and the second is that he determined that politically—for now anyway—he could get away

Continued on Page 6

P.O. BOX 690 LAWRENCE, NY 11559 516-984-0079 [email protected] [email protected] LARRY GORDON ESTA J. GORDON Publisher/Editor Managing Editor YOSSI GORDON, YOCHANAN GORDON Sales Managers CHANA ROCHEL ROSS Editorial Assistant SIDI BARON DAVID FOX DOV GORDON YAKOV SERLE Sales Representatives SHMUEL GERBER MICHELE JUSTIC Chief Copy Editor Copy Editor CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Hannah Reich Berman, Anessa V. Cohen Rabbi Aryeh Z. Ginzberg, Yoni Glatt Toby Klein Greenwald, Rabbi Yair Hoffman Ron Jager, Rabbi Mordechai Kamenetzky Dr. Bernie Kastner, Shmuel Katz, Phyllis J. Lubin Esther Mann, Rochelle Miller, Rabbi Meir Orlian Elke Probkevitz, Dr. Rachael Schindler Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow, David J. Seidemann Rabbi Ben Tzion Shaﬁer, Rabbi Avi Shafran Eli Shapiro, Dr. Ari Sher, Samuel Sokol ELISHEVA ELEFANT Staff Graphic Artist IVAN NORMAN, IRA THOMAS Staff Photographers FRANKEL & CO. Design & Production TALIYE CORLEY Art Director

The Five Towns Jewish Times is an independent weekly newspaper. Opinions expressed by writers and columnists are not necessarily those of the editor or publisher. We are not responsible for the kashrus or hashgachah of any product or establishment advertised in the Five Towns Jewish Times.

4 June 24, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 24, 2011 5 FROM THE EDITOR president’s decision to simply ignore Continued from Page 4 the situation. There is an angry sense that under any with it. The point is that humanity, com- type of other similar situation the presi- passion, or basic human decency did not dent would have acted, but that a special enter into any of the considerations over brand of justice (or injustice) is always the last few days. available to be rendered when it comes to And while there was a full-court press the Pollard case. to get Pollard released for a day, the Many believed that would have effort did not appear to be wholeheart- shined a glimmer of light on the status ed. If it was, then it was a miserable fail- of the case if the administration had ure. This is precisely where the debate acted to allow the man to attend his lies. Could the organized American father’s funeral. Perhaps it would have Jewish leadership have acted more force- been a new and positive indication that fully or forthrightly? If so, would it have someone in the higher-ups of the admin- been worth the effort to achieve Mr. istration was thinking about Pollard’s

Would it have been worth the effort to achieve Mr. Pollard’s exit from his imprisonment for a mere half day?

Pollard’s exit from his imprisonment for disposition and that it was an issue a mere half day? important enough to act upon. Major Jewish organizations with the Unfortunately, in the aftermath of the image of influence and muscle issued a stillness that emanated from series of brief press releases at first urg- Washington, there is no choice but to ing the administration to allow Pollard conclude that this was indeed their to attend the funeral of his father, who clearly ennunciated response and that died at the age of 95, and then when despite the pressure, the message is that that request was met with a steely they plan to let the Pollard case linger silence, issued an additional release open-endedly without action. announcing their disappointment at the We have hashed over and analyzed

6 June 24, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES this horribly frustrating case way too American Jews in. many times in the past. There is really For many American Jews, the wound very little that is new to report. And there all these years later is all too fresh each is no choice but to come to the realiza- time the name Pollard is raised, conjuring tion that at this point, after all these up a whole new set of emotions about years, this case is no longer just about a the man and his actions. man that betrayed his position as a Navy The issue before us here and now is intelligence officer and gave or sold not whether there is an American-Jewish American secrets to Israel. Jonathan consensus about whether Pollard should Pollard exposed the most sensitive facet be released and be allowed to go live in that defines the nature and essence of Israel as he desires. The issue here is what it means for a person to be an about President Obama and his consis- American citizen loyal to his or her coun- tent reference in a whole plethora of sit- try, as well as an active and vociferous uations about the need to do the right supporter of Israel. thing—the American thing—as a man Pollard in a sense tipped the carefully with moral clarity and as the elected balanced scale and expressed to the leader of the free world. world, or at least created the impression, Where is the person, regardless how that when push comes to shove we might one feels about Pollard, who believes that act for Israel above what might be consid- 26 years in prison is not sufficient punish- ered the best interests of the United ment for his crimes? In the history of this States. And while this is most likely not country there have been only two other the case for the overwhelming majority, spies convicted of espionage who were Pollard, by his actions, floated the idea more severely punished than Pollard— out there as a possibility that after all Ethel and Julius Rosenberg, who were these years is still shrouded in maximum executed by the United States after being sensitivity and discomfort. Despite the convicted of spying for the Soviet Union fact that what he did took place more in the 1950s. than a quarter century ago, the conse- Let’s consider the disposition of cases quences of his actions still obviously similar to Pollard’s and the sentences reverberate today. meted out as a result. There was the case Whereas the bitterness or the intensity of Steven Morrison, who spied on the of some offenses seem to wane with the U.S. for England and was eventually sen- passage of time, there is something about tenced to two years. He was released the Pollard affair that keeps it as fresh after two months. Even those who were and buoyant as if his crime of espionage convicted of spying for our enemies was committed very recently. American have served far less time than Pollard Jews are patently uncomfortable, with has already served. There were, for many being unforgiving—not so much example, Joseph Santos, Carlos Alvarez, about the crime Pollard committed, but about the position his actions placed Continued on Page 8

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 24, 2011 7 FROM THE EDITOR sentence received was two years greater Continued from Page 7 than the prison sentence recommended by the prosecution. Also, more and Mariano Faget, who spied for com- recently, in the case of Minnesotan munist Cuba and were sentenced to Wendy Runge, she received a ten-year three-and-a-half to five years. sentence on a fraud conviction of less Brian Horton spied for the Soviet than $2 million. The lesson learned the Union and received a six-year term. And hard way is that it doesn’t pay to infuri- what about Hasan Abu-Jihad, a Navy ate the judge—whether or not the sailor who leaked classified informa- assertions are valid. tion to terrorist sympathizers? He was On the other hand, the matter has sentenced to 10 years. The longest sen- to be weighed before rallying the tence of espionage in modern times entire community to take a stand on was the one handed to Steven Lalas, Pollard and against Obama. Israel and who spied on the U.S. for Greece. He the U.S. have so much at stake in the was sentenced to 14 years and has relationship between the two coun- already been back home in Greece for tries; the question needs to asked the last four years. whether the cause of Pollard counter- It has to be concluded that for some balances all the other national issues reason the Pollard case is unlike any at play. other to date. But rest assured that it For example, would it have been jus- does not help the tenuous situation to tified last year for Prime Minister label anyone anti-Semitic. These types Netanyahu to agree to a further freeze of assertions can only serve to set back in settlement building in exchange, in the effort to eventually arrange for the part, for Pollard’s release? Or is it right president to release Mr. Pollard. Other for Pollard to be released simultaneous- recent cases of late where either the ly with archmurderer and terrorist judges or the prosecution were accused Marwan Barghottui—alleged to be a of harboring tinges of anti-Semitism future Palestinian leader? only worked against the ultimate fate Evidently, and as difficult as it is to of the defendants. write, there is a sense out there that In the case of Sholom Rubashkin, the the U.S.–Israel relationship cannot suf-

Continued on Page 13 FEATURES Around The Five Towns 40 CALENDAR Aliyah Chronicle Shmuel Katz 76 LUACH Business Halacha R’ Meir Orlian 38 June 24–July 2 Classified Ads 70 ZIP Code: 11516 A Clever Title Goes Here 22 Sivan Mordechai Schmutter 36 Friday, June 24 Daf yomi: Menachos 107 The Dish Z’manim*: Earliest tallis/teﬁllin: 4:17 am Elke Probkevitz 26 Sunrise: 5:25 am Health Latest Shema: M. Av. 8:35 am Special Advertising Section 46 Gr’a 9:11 am Insights On The Torah P’lag ha’minchah: 6:55 pm Candle Lighting: 8:11 pm R’ Ben Tzion Shafier 80 23 Sivan – Shabbos Luach Saturday, June 25 Calendar 8 Parashas Korach Blessing of Chodesh Tammuz MindBiz Avos: Ch. 3 Esther Mann, LCSW 34 Shabbos ends**: 9:21 pm Mother’s Musings 72 min. 9:42 pm Phyllis J. Lubin 21 29 Sivan Friday, July 1 News From The Hills Daf yomi: Chullin 5 Chanita Teitz 16 Earliest tallis/teﬁllin: 4:20 am Sunrise: 5:28 am Puzzle Latest Shema: Yoni Glatt 74 M. Av. 8:37 am Gr’a 9:13 am Real Estate P’lag ha’minchah: 6:55 pm Anessa V. Cohen 32 Candle Lighting: 8:11 pm 30 Sivan – Shabbos That’s The Way It Is! Saturday, July 2 Hannah Reich Berman 30 Parashas Chukkas 1st day Rosh Chodesh Tammuz Tidbits From Israel Avos: Ch. 4 Ron Jager 33 Shabbos ends**: 9:20 pm Travel 72 min. 9:42 pm Special Advertising Section 58, 76 * All times from MyZmanim.com ** add a few minutes for tosefos Shabbos according to your minhag 8 June 24, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 24, 2011 9 BAGEL STORE on one of the boxes out here in the Five and offend the rather significant num- tion of the two. It is difficult to say who Continued from Front Cover Towns. I see this box almost every day, ber of Orthodox Jews in the Five this is and as of this writing the matter as it is just a few feet from the entrance Towns, which has grown especially has not been reported to the police. A sadors of our company and as a to the Lawrence post office where I or over the last decade and a half. This is meeting with local police officials is reminder that Thursday is not that far someone from my office picks up our not the first time I’ve seen these two being arranged and surveillance cam- away and a new and exciting issue of the mail. At first I didn’t focus on the words, words defacing property around town. eras covering the area will be reviewed Five Towns Jewish Times will once again but the other day two things happened. In the last few months, I’ve received to see if the perpetrator can be identi- be available shortly. fied. I’m not sure how the authorities Their existence is rarely if ever classify or identify anti-Semitic inci- brought to our attention. Our delivery dents but based on my limited knowl- team simply monitors them, makes I’d say the offensive remark edge I would say that this can certainly sure they remain safe and mostly clean, be classified as such. and fills them with new editions of the came from someone with more There is however something intrigu- 5TJT when the paper is printed every ing, I believe, about the difference Thursday. between graffiti comments that target As publisher and editor of the paper, I than just general familiarity with Jews in general as opposed to those that oversee and am responsible for every single out Orthodox Jews. The situation aspect of this publication. Looking back the various streams of Judaism. is that the act most likely comes from over 11 years, I plainly would not have it someone who is able to distinguish the any other way. Our office receives calls difference between Jews in general and daily inquiring about any number of sit- Orthodox Jews. If I had to go out on a uations. As my father, of blessed memo- On Thursday I took a closer look and photos of the same two words written limb and speculate, I’d say the intended ry, was wont to say in Yiddish some- saw that the words sloppily displayed on a small advertising billboard at the offensive two-word remark came from times, “Altz kumt ois tzum mein kup.” on the right side of the box say, “Damn Woodmere and Far Rockaway train sta- someone with more than just general Loosely translated, that means, “It all Orthodox.” tions. familiarity with the difference between falls on my head.” I can’t say specifically that I know So someone is obviously either angry the various streams of Judaism. We all So it was that early last week I what this is about, but it is clearly about something, somewhat mentally know from history that when it comes noticed some words sloppily scribbled intended to negatively characterize unbalanced, or more likely a combina- to classic Jew-hatred, the haters either

10 June 24, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES do not care or are simply unable to our New York–area Orthodox commu- deconstruct the components that con- nities, so I suppose we are clearly a stitute Jewish life. My feeling is that target. For me, the wonder is that the someone has to possess some knowl- overwhelming majority of these boxes edge in order to harbor anti-Jewish ani- have remained chained in their spots mosity just for Orthodox Jews. on various street corners untouched The fact is that the Five Towns and unbothered. I am asked on occa- Orthodox Jewish community today is sion about the many dispenser boxes one of the premier communities of its we have out there and the regulations type and still causes some discomfort and laws involved in simply plunking for many Jewish as well as non-Jewish down such a piece of equipment and neighbors. These sentiments are with- chaining them to a parking sign or out foundation, are prejudicial, and utility poll. should not be tolerated. Orthodox Jews, The distribution of reading material— however, accept the harassment and newspapers, magazines, books, and the intimidation as a matter of course and as like—are covered by the First a price for building modern Torah com- Amendment to the U.S. Constitution that munities filled with shuls and yeshivas calls for free expression and free speech. in the Diaspora. There are, however, some municipalities, I’m not saying that the animosity that specifically on Long Island, that have may exist necessarily has to pour out local ordinances that call for the issuing and manifest itself in offensive and trite of permits for the placement of these pejoratives scribbled on Jewish newspa- kinds of distribution points, without per boxes. But sadly, in this instance, imposing any encumbrances on the right this may be precisely what we are deal- of free expression. ing with. Additionally, it may not be so So while you have a constitutional much about Orthodoxy—which they right to freely express yourself, it still probably don’t understand anyway—as has to be done prudently and safely. I it is about success that the haters envy. found that out over the last two years The fact is that today in a community with two summonses our office like Lawrence, the five governing mem- received from the department of envi- bers of the Village Board of Trustees are ronmental protection in the City of Orthodox and six of the seven school- New York. The city apparently has teams board members are Orthodox too. That roaming the five boroughs snapping these individuals are also successful and very clear and crisp photographs and accomplished businesspeople and have sharing them with the alleged offenders as governing entities righted situations (of which we are not one). Nevertheless, that were spiraling out of control is there have been instances where we often neglected and overlooked. have been asked to move these boxes Our newspaper boxes clearly state that we are a newspaper that serves Continued on Page 12

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 24, 2011 11

BAGEL STORE were cut by the sanitation department Continued from Page 11 and then carted away. Apparently for Costco. He sat our kids down and security reasons, there are no such dis- Then And Now started telling them a story. It was because someone somewhere may have pensers allowed anywhere on Kingston about a little black boy who was lost perceived their presence as creating Avenue or at least on that avenue BY AVIVA RIZEL in the Bronx in the early 1940s. He some kind of potential hazard. We have between Empire Boulevard and Eastern lived nearby, but he couldn’t find his complied, of course, with the several sit- Parkway. That community is where I Every time I walk into the Lawrence way. He was paralyzed with fear, bawl- uations that have been brought to our was born and raised; I’d like to have the post office, I make certain to hold the ing on the sidewalk. Suddenly, a attention, and as the number of dis- boxes there and I’m still trying to figure door open for any other patrons who are Jewish man with a yarmulke saw him pensers increases we of course continue something out. coming in behind me. Then I make sure and stopped. His temporary Jewish to do so. Which brings me back to my home- to open it again for them as we walk guardian took the boy back to his One such situation, for example, was town today and the offending hiero- from the lobby into the main room. And apartment and knocked on the door. in Brooklyn, where there is a handsome glyphics—“Damn Orthodox”—on one of then, when they thank me, I make sure When his mother opened it, the boy milk-chocolate-colored box on the cor- the Lawrence boxes. I walked into the to give my most genial, “My pleasure!” leapt into her arms and sobbed and ner of Avenue I and McDonald Avenue. post office to get my mail last Friday and It’s very easy for me to always sobbed. Then the Jew left. Apparently when the box is empty, after was waiting to speak to one of the clerks remember to make the best Kiddush My husband told the kids that this all the newspapers have been taken by when a lady in front of me on line turned Hashem possible in the Lawrence post boy went on to do many great things, readers in the area, the box is prone to to me and asked, “Did you see the box?” office, because on The Five Towns like serve our country in battle. He is falling over on its side when there is an and she added, “What are we going to do Jewish Times newsbox right by their now in his 70s, and was on line in excessively strong wind blowing. about it?” front door, there is a great reality check. Costco, behind my husband. He told my The boxes are chained with a 5-foot I responded that I was going to look It is in the graffiti form, and it reads: husband this story because he saw my chain so that there is some limited into the possibility of having it Damn Orthodox. husband’s black velvet yarmulke. A yar- maneuverability yet people are discour- cleaned up but that I thought that in I went on You Tube the other day to mulke represents comfort and reunion aged from taking one of them home. If the meantime it’s not such an awful check something out and I saw that for this man. But even more, he told my someone for some reason did take one of sight to behold, as it serves as a one of the most popular clips of the husband his story because when the these boxes home, I have no idea what reminder of what we may be dealing day was entitled something like: Black Jewish man from the 1940s left, the boy they could possibly do with it. The fact is with and what others that preceded us Guy Beats up Kid. Then I thought, if never got to say “Thank you.” So, when- that they serve no purpose other than had to deal with albeit on a much the batterer were Caucasian, would ever this man sees a yarmulke, he what they have been constructed for, to more profound and overt level. the title be “White Guy Beats up Kid”? thanks whoever is wearing it. house newspapers on street corners. The words on the box are what I I thought not. It would probably be And, just to continue the tradition And yes there has been a mystery or refer to as “calling-card anti-Semitism.” “Kid Gets Beaten.” of the man’s life, my husband insisted two with missing newspaper boxes. It’s there and for now it’s part of our And then I felt very sad and very bad that the gentleman go in front of him Take the Crown Heights neighborhood. landscape. We are, as I mentioned, in for all of the other men in the world in line at Costco. “I insist sir. You’ve A few years ago, we naively set down touch with local police officials and who happen to have black skin. Because served our country.” two dispenser boxes on Kingston searching for the right cleaning agent viewers who saw that clip are likely to So when I pull up to the Avenue not that far from Chabad World to expunge our innocent dispenser associate the beating with the race, and Lawrence post office, I gird myself Headquarters. It took just a few hours boxes of being proxies for hateful dia- then a simple equation of prejudice is to defend my people. But I am so and the boxes had vanished. tribes, no matter how juvenile they made. Just like that. sad. I wonder what happened Canvassing the neighborhood to see may appear to be on the surface. O A few days after this realization, my between the 1940s in the Bronx and what happened to them, eyewitnesses Comments for Larry Gordon are welcome at husband, Meir, came home from 2011 in the Five Towns. O told us that the chains on the boxes [email protected].

12 June 24, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES FROM THE EDITOR Continued from Page 8 HaRav Metzger fer or be sacrificed in order to adjudi- cate the Pollard situation. Former Says Kaddish For Prime Minister Yitzchak Shamir said many years ago on Pollard that Israel has to know when “it’s time to cut a Morris Pollard man loose.” He told an interviewer at the time that the military cemetery on Har Herzl is filled with young men and BY JONAH MANDEL women who sacrificed dearly for Israel. The case is a heartbreaking one, Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi Yona as Pollard is very much alive. However, Metzger will be saying Kaddish for the former prime minister was saying Jonathan Pollard’s father, a reli- that the Pollard case is not that much gious duty the imprisoned agent different from that of the young peo- cannot fulfill since that prayer ple who gave up their lives in the needs a minyan, the rabbi defense of Israel. announced on Tuesday. Many in the Knesset this week Morris Pollard died at 95 over the expressed surprise and even disdain for weekend, after Jonathan had been President Obama’s lack of compassion refused the “compassionate leave” to or action on the Pollard request to visit him on his death bed. He was attend his father’s funeral. MK Otinell also not allowed to attend the funer- Schneller of Kadima said that in his esti- al on Monday. mation the Americans have displayed “When I visited Pollard in prison, this week “a cold-heartedness to the he asked me to say Kaddish over his point of unfathomable wickedness.” In mother on the anniversary of her the meantime, to the extent that he is death, since he didn’t have the able to, Pollard is sitting shivah in the required minyan,” Metzger said. medium-security prison in Butner, “Unfortunately, the situation has not North Carolina. changed, and I have therefore There is no minyan in Butner and for resolved to do this small deed for now. Israel’s chief rabbi, Yona Metzger, our brother Jonathan, and for the said the other day that he would be recit- soul of his father.” ing Kaddish this year for Morris Pollard— Metzger noted that Jonathan’s that is until Jonathan is freed and able to wife, Esther Pollard, called him on fulfill that obligation himself. O Tuesday night to thank him for his initiative. (JPost.com) O Comments for Larry Gordon are welcome at [email protected].

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 24, 2011 13 Building A Torah Home Yisrael. We are no longer a nation of beis- was their leader or Korach was their the Chofetz Chaim began to bemoan Continued from Front Cover hanim. We may abhor these types of leader; they would have to follow some- the fact that the level of tzniyus was activities, we may even be troubled by one anyway. Why would they get caught going downhill. to the fact that some were not. them, but we are no longer simply embar- up in this terrible machlokes for seeming- Rav Meir Shapiro was a little surprised Living in the world today, a world of rassed by them. ly no personal gain? at the Chofetz Chaim’s statement and CNN, instant messaging, Twitter, The powerful force of the Internet has A closer look at Rashi seems to hint to asked him, “Rebbe, you are in very frail Facebook, and the colossal power of the removed the bushah from us and from the answer. Just as Korach’s family was health and have been confined to your Internet, that important responsibility of our homes, and as a result, our homes camped on the southern side of the home already for some time. How do you creating a healthy and moral environ- have allowed the immorality of the world Mishkan, so did the sheivet of Reuvein. know that there is a laxity in tzniyus ment is that much more difficult. to penetrate their walls and into our spir- Just by living side by side with neigh- when you don’t go out into the street any- Wherever we turn, there seems to be itual fortresses. We must bring bushah bors like Korach, they were influenced more?” The Chofetz Chaim began to another scandal, one more shameful than back into our homes, said the Mashgiach. to join him in the rebellion, though it protest and said, “Rav Meir, what are you the next. Before Weiner, it was the head saying? One can literally feel the tumah of the I.M.F. Before him, the governor of in the air.” California, and of course not too long Our ears, which are supposed to be ago, maybe the worst one that was just sensitive to kedushah, and our neshamos, impossible to escape from, our former We may abhor these types of that Chazal say are imbued with the mid- President Bill Clinton. dah of bushah, are open to the most sor- Some may follow every tawdry detail did stories of human depravity and of the stories and others try their best to activities, we may even be troubled immorality from congressmen, senators, ignore it. But not for one moment governors, and yes, even presidents. It is a should anyone think, whether you live by them, but we are no longer direct assault on kedushas Yisrael, and it in the Five Towns, Monsey, Boro Park, or is therefore of little surprise that lately Lakewood, that we are immune from we hear of cases of sexual abuse, of addic- the effects of these sordid scandals and simply embarrassed by them. tion to Internet pornography, and other the breaches that they make in the very such indiscretions in our own communi- walls that we set up to protect our pure ty. While, baruch Hashem, the cases are Torah environment. few and far between, nevertheless they First and foremost is what it does to are devastating and extremely painful to the special character of K’lal Yisrael. There is no better place to learn of the made no practical sense whatsoever. hear about. Chazal describe us as a nation of people effects of the environment around us This of course led to their ultimate Every one of these stories that comes that are compassionate, do acts of chesed, than from this week’s sidrah. There are downfall and destruction both in this to light and assaults our senses with and are “beishanim.” Beishanim means many explanations in Chazal as to what world and the next. every sordid detail, makes another having bushah—we are embarrassed. motivated Korach to rebel against Moshe Is it possible for anyone to believe breach in the wall of bushah that we Several years ago, in the midst of and thereby against Hashem himself. We even for a moment that living through have worked long and hard to set up to another very public scandal of immorali- also are taught what motivated Dassan these public scandals, one after the other, protect the environment of kedushah in ty involving the most famous athlete in and Aviram to join Korach. What is still with no escaping it wherever we turn, has our homes. the world, the venerated mashgiach of difficult to understand is why the 250 had no effect upon us and our families? I remember when the embarrassing Lakewood, Rav Matisyahu Salamon, shli- men from sheivet Reuvein joined with The Lubliner Rav, Rav Meir Shapiro, story of a sitting president came to light, ta, said that all these types of public scan- Korach in his rebellion. After all, what dif- zt’l, once came to visit the elderly and ill I was flying to Eretz Yisrael and had a dals have removed the bushah from K’lal ference would it make to them if Moshe gadol hador, the Chofetz Chaim, zt’l, and brief stopover in Amsterdam. I noticed

14 June 24, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES that every newspaper and maga- lenging world, I would not be facing today’s challenges, what zine at the airport newsstand, able to withstand the many should we say, especially in an encompassing more than 30 lan- nisyonos and challenges that age of continuous scandals. The guages, all had the President’s come along with being a Torah choice of when and where we picture on the cover, discussing and G-d-fearing Jew. live is not always ours to make; detail after sordid detail for the I began and ended the next however the choice on how to whole world to see. evening quoting the Mashgiach’s protect the sanctity and I asked my rebbe, the late heartfelt grasp of the dangers kedushah in our homes in rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Chofetz our children are facing in today’s today’s world is. And our very Chaim, Rav Henoch Leibowitz, world. If he feels incapable of future depends on it. O zt’l, if I should speak about it in shul on Shabbos, and he answered me, “How can you not?” With each and every one of these stories that attacks the senses of an “Am Kadosh,” the same question comes in play: “How can I speak about it, and, on the other hand, how can I not?” More than a decade ago, I was invited to speak at a gathering of women in Brooklyn, sponsored by an organization pro- moting the awareness of tzniyus in our community. I was told to expect a large turnout (over 1,200 people attended) and to speak about the mortal danger of the Internet which was just coming in to its own. I really didn’t know what to add to what everyone already knew beforehand. The night before my address, I attended a wedding in Brooklyn and saw the mashgiach, Rav Salamon, sitting by himself at a table. I quickly approached him and shared with him my dilemma and asked him for advice on what I could say that would have a lasting impression. He told me something so profound and brutally honest that I think about it each day. He said to me, “Tell them in my name the following: Each day when I wake up, besides saying “Modeh Ani,” I say a special tefillah to Hashem for allowing me to be born in an earlier generation, for if I had to grow up in today’s Internet-chal-

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5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 24, 2011 15 But the coffee machine wasn’t working. I News From The Hills was so looking forward to a good cup of coffee; maybe next time. B Y CHANITA TEITZ The first section to the right is the produce department. Everything is abun- Grand Opening Of Seasons dantly displayed with nothing cluttering The day we have all been waiting for the wide aisles. Even though the store finally arrived last week with the grand was full of shoppers, nobody was in my opening of Seasons supermarket in Kew way. Something new caught my eye—a Gardens Hills. I went to see the new store cellophane-wrapped package of Kumatos, myself, as did a whole cross section of the brown tomatoes. Although curious for a neighborhood. It was a virtual who’s who taste, I didn’t buy them. When it comes to waiting at the take-out counter eyeing something unusual and new, I would the array of choices. I bought the beef rather buy just one to try first. and broccoli for my husband—yum. For The managers of every department myself, I wasn’t disappointed with the were there along with numerous cus- PhotoByJudahS.H grilled chicken and fried onions, which tomer service people to help the shop- were crisp and caramelized to perfection. pers. They anticipated our needs, asking But I’m getting ahead of myself. how they could help. And everyone was From the minute I drove up I enjoyed so friendly, actually smiling when they arris what I saw. There were several parking spoke to me. (I tell my staff at work to attendants waiting to help. Since there smile when answering the phone. The were spaces available, I parked by myself. caller can sense your mood.) Great service er. The item I’m looking for is tomato they carry it. He didn’t know, so he asked The sliding entry doors opened wide and goes a long way towards customer satis- paste in a tube. I first saw this on the food another customer service rep who asked I walked into a spacious, uncluttered faction. channel being used by all the chefs who a manager. They really went out of their entry with numerous shopping carts I did need help with one item that I love it because you can use just a small way to get me an answer. Unfortunately, lined up neatly. have looked for in other stores. I don’t amount and save the rest in the refrigera- they don’t carry it. Maybe I should call The store is bright, spacious, and clean. even know if it’s available with a hechsh- tor. I asked one customer service rep if one of the kashrus organizations and suggest finding a brand to approach about getting a hechsher. The sushi section is abundant with delicious looking and colorful trays of sushi. My kids are coming for Shabbos, so I’m going back to buy some this week. At the bakery aisle I asked a manager if they carry a “marble” challah—pumpernickel and white twisted together. They don’t yet, but if they get requests for it, they will get them. We haven’t even gotten to the dairy case, the salad display, and the olives. So many different kinds of olives all prepackaged and displayed neatly on the shelves. It may be nostalgic to buy your pickles and olives out of a barrel, but in most stores they clutter the aisles. The meat department was adequate, but nothing special there. Maybe in the weeks to come we’ll see more variety and special prices. Finally, the fish department will be grilling fish, but that day the grill wasn’t working. At the checkout counters, there were plenty of reps to help me bring my shopping cart to the cashier and unpack for me. Again, a smiling cashier said hello, rang me up quickly, and I was on my way. The minor glitches will certainly be ironed out as the entire staff is determined to please. All in all, it was a pleasant shopping experience.

Advocacy Training For Israel The National Council of Young Israel,

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16 June 24, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Young Israel of North Woodmere, and granddaughters and their classmates Graduations il. Hatzlachah in high school, and have a The David Project present “Winning the read original poems and short stories Mazel tov again to my grandson great summer! War of Words: Become an Effective Advocate for Israel.” Two training ses- Caution: Children Playing sions will be given by Rabbi Bini Maryles, Schools are ending and the kids educator and Israel advocate, at the haven’t started camp yet, so there are Young Israel of North Woodmere, 634 It may be nostalgic to buy your lots of children playing outside. Hungry Harbor Road on Wednesday, June Please drive carefully and look out for 29 at 8:45 p.m. and on Wednesday, July 6 pickles and olives out of a barrel, but kids who may be crossing the street or at 8:45 p.m. For more information, call little ones who may dart into the 212-929-1525, ext. 100 or e-mail street after a stray ball. Let’s keep our [email protected]. in most stores they clutter the aisles. kids safe! O To register online visit young israel.org/content/yiadvocacy.cfm. Chanita Teitz is a real estate broker at Astor Brokerage with offices on Main Street in Kew Authors’ Day that they wrote and illustrated them- Boruch Herskowitz and his entire class Gardens Hills and on Union Turnpike in Fresh Meadows. For all your real estate needs in Queens Bais Yaakov held its author’s day and selves. Thank you Shoshana and Rivky upon their graduation from Tifereth call her at 718-263-4500 or e-mail her at I heard my second and third grade for inviting me. Moshe. May you boys go michayil el chay- [email protected]. PhotoByJudahS.H PhotoByJudahS.H arris arris

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 24, 2011 17 Focus On Fashion

B Y MIRI URBACH

A new trend is emerging: Be different. Fashion has evolved and it’s become more about personal style than the latest runway looks. Defining your own look has become the next adventure in the fashion world. Whether you try classic cuts, bold colors and patterns, or new accessories, the point is to experiment, indulge in indeci- sion. Be a chameleon or a bohemian, ladylike or an avant- garde. Now is the time to try new things, and make them your own!

Dear Miri, I’m getting married in the early fall, and I don’t want to wear pure white; the color is not flattering on me. Is it too late in the season to wear an ivory wedding gown? Tina Pollack Brooklyn Dear Tina, When a bride is planning her wedding, many details need to be considered. The caterer, the hall, invitations, etc. The same general rule applies to all aspects. It’s your wedding day, and a bride can choose whatever she is most comfortable with. That being said, if you want your bridal party to reflect the current runway trends, you might want to consider winter white as an alternative to ivory. It is dark enough so that it won’t look stark white next to your skin, but is still youthful and elegant. Ivory is a fine look, but is more traditional, and runs the risk of looking antique. Miri

Dear Miri, I see that some stores are starting to show pre-fall collec- tions. What are the new fall colors that I should be looking for and how do I incorporate them into my basic black wardrobe? Shira Abramowitz Lawrence Dear Shira, Fall has brought with it new colors to our wardrobe palette. Bright and vibrant teal, soft and demure purples and browns, and punches of mustard. Play with the new colors like a painter experiments on a can- vas. Check out Caroline Herrera’s fall line for inspirational elements like jeweled beading and silks, and a pleated chocolate organdy coat dress. For just a pop of color, try to brighten an outfit with a bright accessory such as a teal clutch or a piece of statement jewelry like 18 June 24, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES a bright purple cuff. If you want to wear all one color, break it up with different shades or even a pattern, but stick to one design. Break out of your black and grey uniform and have fun with color. Miri

Dear Miri, There are so many beautiful new looks for fall. If I want to invest in one really great piece that will last me for years, what do you suggest? Rachel Kravitz Woodmere Dear Rachel, Looking back on fashion through the years we see trends and fads that move through time, but a classic look that never goes out of style is a great jacket. Every woman should own one, whether it’s a great basic cut that you can pair with a dress, or a fabulous embellish- ment that catches your eye. Consider also a suede or leather piece for a more contemporary turn, such as Jill Sander’s aubergine creation. Miri

Miri Urbach is a renowned designer from Lawrence. Her creations have graced fashion’s elite from Manhattan, L.A., London, Paris, and more for the last 20 years. From custom designs to off-the-rack, MIRI is at the cutting edge in bringing fashion-forward looks to the observant world. MIRI is second to none in customer care and her personal touch is felt in all her stores. Send your questions and comments to [email protected]. MIRI has retail locations in Cedarhurst (515 Central Avenue), Brooklyn, and Lakewood and has three locations in Israel as well. To reach the Cedarhurst boutique and bridal salon, call 516.374.1095. For other locations and additional information, visit MIRI on the Web at www.miricouture.com.

Please daven for a refuah sheleimah for the following:

Naftoli Yitzchok ben Malka Mirel Menachem Mendel ben Esther Shimon Fishel ben Chana Binyomin Zev HaKohen ben Sharrone Rivka Devora Rivka bas Leah Henna Chaya Gittel bas Recha Devora Rochel Leah bas Serel Aidel Ruchama Chava Baila bas Chaya

B'soch Sheor Cholei Yisroel

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 24, 2011 19 Awakening At Twilight serve him well in a fight and the scars to Sunday was a huge success thanks to And not just an occasional class, but Continued from Front Cover show he had been in his share, asked me Sender’s efforts. learning every day. if it was too late in the day to put on Mr. Merlis, a retired schoolteacher Looking back, he told me he would late to begin anew or, for some, to tefillin. The entire BBQ was worth it for with 62 years in the system, is now a stu- never have believed that some 39 begin for the first time? I hosted a BBQ that one moment. Who knows the last dent. It’s never too late to begin. And it’s years later he would complete approx- for my law students last Sunday, and time he had put on tefillin—and I was- not just retirees who have found their imately 10 masechtas, or tractates, of once again, as last year, we boasted n’t going to ask him. way to the books. Some of the members the Talmud. perfect attendance. You see the stu- I was so moved, as were the other were between jobs, some rearranged I asked Mr. Frank what exactly it was dents actually believed me when I said attendees. An hour or so later I was even their schedules to begin work at 11 or that the Lubavitcher Rebbe told him that if they wouldn’t show up I would more stunned when he asked me if I noon so they could soak up the words that moved him to give up eastern reli- fail them. thought he had the skills to apply to col- and teachings of Harav Bressler. Merlis’s gions for the religion of our fathers. As One student from last year showed up lege. That’s what one young man did in son, Mark, learned in the kollel when he his eyes welled with tears, Irwin told as well as, coincidentally, he called me the twilight of my BBQ, in the twilight of found himself in between jobs. me that what the rebbe told him was the day before the BBQ to inquire his youth. Adler, 5 years; Gross, 6 years; and so personal that he couldn’t share it whether he could intern for me this sum- And then there are those who decide Tuchman, 10 years; and the list goes on with me. Whatever it was, it worked. mer. Remembering his stellar perform- to spend the twilight of their lives in and on of those people who said to them- And it worked not just in the 1950’s ance in the classroom and his efferves- another interesting fashion. Under the selves that this is what a Jew does when when they met, it had a lasting effect cent personality made my decision to direction of Rabbi Dov Bressler, a group the rest of life slows down. all the way into the twilight years of hire him easy. He starts next week. of about 30 men learn every day at But the prize goes to Irwin Frank Irwin Frank’s life. One of my students this past semes- Shaaray Tefilah in Lawrence. Some whose story is one for the books, the And here’s the catch. Irwin doesn’t ter asked me if he could bring a friend began learning with Rabbi Eliyahu holy books that is. G-d bless him, he is learn all day. He leaves the kollel at to the festivities. It would be my pleas- Romnick, shlita, when the kollel was 83 years old and began learning with around 11:00 a.m. every morning to go to ure, I responded, and all the work was under his direction. Others began learn- Rabbi Bressler some 39 years ago. But ... work. worth it just for this one young man. ing with Rabbi Bressler over 30 years for a chance meeting with Rabbi Yes, at age 83 Irwin still goes into He was a journeyman, as they say. He ago in Far Rockaway, and now the two Shlomo Carlebach many decades ago, his plumbing supply store that is the had been to no fewer than six high groups have merged. Ralph, the retired Irwin would never have seen the inside pride and joy of his life. Actually his schools in three and a half years, schoolteacher, has been there for 15 of a Gemara. pride and joy are his two children and numerous post-high school yeshivas years; Willy, the carpenter, for 30 years; Irwin was quite a distance from four grandchildren, all of whom are here and in Israel, and just couldn’t Milton, the retired board of education Torah scholarship. His only other prior observant and all of whom thank seem to find himself. As much as he employee, has been learning there for exposure to organized Torah obser- Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach, The couldn’t find himself, that’s how easily 20 years; Morty, the retired LIRR com- vance was his bar mitzvah over 70 Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Dov trouble found him. puter programmer, has been soaking up years ago. Bressler, and all of the study partners As we sat around the table in my the Talmud there for five years; In or about 1950, Irwin Frank found Irwin Frank has had along his journey backyard, the Chasidim, the Litvish, the Robinson, the retired engineer, has himself at Columbia University. His these almost 40 years. yeshivish, and not so yeshivish, the stu- turned the folios for 31 years. An amaz- interest in life was Far East religions. So where will you be spending the twi- dents with earrings, in strict hassidic ing feat when you consider he never Rabbi Carlebach prevailed upon Irwin light years of your life? O garb, in shorts and t-shirts, the power of learned in yeshiva. to accompany him to the Lubavitcher that unity moved this young man. At Sender Schwartz not only inhales the Rebbe. The Rebbe had a second conver- David Seidemann is a partner with the law firm around 7:30, we put our steaks down fumes of Torah but works tirelessly to sation with Irwin and that was all it of Seidemann and Mermelstein and serves as a professor of business law at Touro College. He can and decided to daven Minchah. This make sure the kollel continues to operate. took to propel Irwin Frank to a life of be reached at 718-692-1013 or young man with muscles that would The breakfast held to raise funds this last Torah observance and Torah learning. [email protected].

20 June 24, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES (almost a senior), Yussie will be ally defrosting chicken for sup- in “middle school,” and Lea will per, so that is being taken care be a mature fourth grader! Time of. I make lists . . . that’s what I do is fleeting and there is no way to while I am waiting. I often mis- stop it. place these lists, but just writing “Will you be able to fax me them keeps me reminded when the results of the M.R.I. as well I next enter the supermarket. It’s as to my daughter’s doctor?” sort of like when I would take “Sure. What’s the fax notes on the textbook before number?” the test—even if I never actually Time To Think I don’t know what I’ll actual- reviewed those notes, just the ly do with these results, but if writing of them helped me “Rebecca (a.k.a. Rivka) Lubin? This past Sunday, the you feel like you are the only they are willing to send me retain most of the knowledge. It’s your turn.” Lubin/Davidson clan gathered one who has ever celebrated a them directly, it can’t hurt. This Our air conditioning broke “Can I come with her?” to honor the fathers in our fam- birthday before! Friday it will be three weeks this past weekend—the big air “Sorry, just in the changing ily. It was also an opportunity to We are celebrating another since my daughter was struck conditioner in the living room room. Then she is on her own pay homage to all our June type of milestone this Thursday by a car while riding her bicy- that cools off most of the down- for the M.R.I.” birthdays: my son Naftali; my cle. We are so thankful that she stairs went on Friday night, and “How long will the M.R.I. Mom, Grandma Esther; my is improving, but alas the foot our room air conditioner began take?” father-in-law, Zayde Ike; our I often misplace is not healed and still “looks leaking into our bedroom some- “Anytime between 45 min- family friend Sheila; and a super wrong,” hence the M.R.I. This time after Shabbos. Of course utes to an hour.” exciting milestone for my hus- these lists, but just test should tell us exactly what then on my to do list is follow- Sometimes I don’t mind wait- band Lenny (a.k.a. Leib/Daddy). is going on inside her foot. My ing up with AHC Appliance to ing as long as I have a pen and a Birthdays are a chance for both writing them Dad can’t have an M.R.I.—he ensure that by this weekend we piece of paper in hand. It gives the people born on that date to keeps me has a pacemaker. Anyone with will be cool again! me an opportunity to organize thank Hashem for the lives they anything metal inside cannot Just when I think I have been my day/week in general. I think were given and for their loved reminded when I undergo such a test. And so, waiting long enough, I approach much of my life is spent wait- ones to acknowledge how much there was a whole list of ques- the front desk. ing. As long as you can release they are blessed with having the next enter the tions for Rivka to answer prior “Can you please check on yourself of the anxiety that goes birthday celebrators in their to the test to make sure that how much longer my daughter into waiting—the constant wor- lives. I certainly don’t think any- supermarket. this would not be an issue. will be in the M.R.I.?” rying about losing precious time one enjoys birthday celebra- Who thought about the bobby “Just in time Mrs. Lubin, she that you can be doing some- tions as much as Yussie. In fact, pins in her hair or the snaps on is just walking out now!” thing else—you can actually anytime cake is served, Yussie evening. Rivka will be officially her shirt? Everything needed to Perfect timing! O have a productive experience. It has decided that it must be graduating from high school. It’s be taken into account and gives you time to reflect on someone’s birthday! He always a reminder that my babies are every piece of metal needed to Phyllis Joy Lubin is an attorney with what’s going on in your life and takes advantage of an opportu- growing up! By Friday I will be be removed. Rosenfeld & Maidenbaum, LLP, who resides in Cedarhurst with her time to plan your future. And so nity to sing “Happy Birthday to the parent of three high school Do we have milk in the husband Leonard and six children: I sit here in the comfort of the You” and when Yussie gives you graduates, one of which is house? These are the things that Naftali, Shoshana, Rivka, Rochel, Yosef, and Lea. She welcomes your questions Winthrop Radiology waiting his big smile and huge hug already a college graduate, go through my mind when I am and comments at room reflecting and musing. along with melodious voice, Rochel will be in eleventh grade sitting and waiting . . . I am actu- [email protected].

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 24, 2011 21 America Gets It idea of Jewish and Israeli exceptional- ASibling Speaks and I am going to college. I know I’ll be Continued from Front Cover ism is profoundly tied to the idea of sad at first but I’m excited about going American exceptionalism. The belief to Stern College. I know I’ll mature ing and declaring winners and losers. that [G-d] favors and protects Israel is Change and learn new things and transition to There were even inspections of each play- connected to the idea that [G-d] favors BY RIVKA LUBIN new experiences. I am going to er’s stats—not the tallying of runs batted and protects America. attempt to not “freak out” over the fact in or touchdowns but rather the parsing “It means more. The existence of Israel “Class of 2011”—I remember when I that things are changing. People are of subtle phrases and revisiting of other means that the [G-d] of the Bible is still first saw that written on the back of not disappearing and I will keep in players’ records. watching out for the well-being of the the new sweatshirt I received in the Some in the stands saw in the address- beginning of ninth grade. 2011. I es an American president trying to restart remember thinking, “That’s so far off negotiations in order to derail the poten- in the future, I don’t even have to start The world is not tially disastrous establishment of a “Substantial numbers considering something so far off!” Palestinian state in the United Nations Well guess what? It’s here. It’s finally ending. I am just planned for September; and an Israeli of voters believe that here. As I write this on Motzaei leader arrogantly misrepresenting what Shabbos, my graduation from HAFTR his American counterpart actually said, politicians who don’t High School is this coming Thursday. moving on to publicly and rudely chiding him. Others As everyone is so excited to be done saw a cold American president all too ‘get’ Israel also with high school and to go off to col- a new chapter ready to compromise Israel’s security; lege, I keep thinking that this is all one and a triumphant Israeli leader speaking don’t ‘get’ America big dream and I will soon wake up and hard truth to haughty power. be a kid again. Of course I’m excited to of my life. Among those rooting for Mr. and don’t ‘get’ [G-d].” go to college and to embrace campus Netanyahu and booing at Mr. Obama life and everything it has to offer. But was Walter Russell Mead, a Bard College then again, who likes change? I’m not professor of foreign affairs and human- a huge fan. touch with them. I can always visit the ities, and editor-at-large of The human race. For many American Think about it: If a situation is com- places I am leaving. I can keep singing. American Interest. Christians who are nothing like funda- fortable, why change it? So many peo- I can keep writing. I can do all the Whatever the merits of his cheers and mentalists, the restoration of the Jews to ple feel lost in new situations. As many things I love. The world is not ending. jeers, though, a few paragraphs of the Holy Land and their creation of a suc- of my Mom’s readers know, I was I am just moving on to a new chapter Professor Mead’s essay on the declama- cessful, democratic state after 2,000 years recently hit by a car as I was riding my of my life. tion competition, concerning the warm of oppression and exile is a clear sign that bike. I am not comparing leaving high So what I want to say is this: Seniors response Mr. Netanyahu received from the religion of the Bible can be trusted. school with getting hit by a pickup 2011, it’s been real. Most of us have been Congress, bear quoting: “Being pro-Israel matters in American truck. I’m just speaking figuratively. together since we were five. The good “Israel matters in American politics mass politics because the public mind You’re not going to like every single sit- part about that is that we know our like almost no other country on earth. believes at a deep level that to be pro- uation that you’re in, but you just have friendships will last. We are not leaving Well beyond the American Jewish and Israel is to be pro-America and pro-faith. to learn to embrace it and to see past each other; we are merely saying “See the Protestant fundamentalist commu- Substantial numbers of voters believe the difficulties. I don’t want to leave you later.” Change happens. It’s what we nities, the people and the story of Israel that politicians who don’t ‘get’ Israel also high school. But it’s going to happen do with it that matters. Congrats! O stir some of the deepest and most myste- rious reaches of the American soul. The Continued on Page 25

22 June 24, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES What To Expect In The Unexpected

BY DONI JOSZEF, LMSW or Effort Required! The Time Tested, 2 Step Guide to An GPS navigation systems have made Everlasting Blissful Life! our trips strikingly efficient. They guide Don’t get me wrong—some of the us turn by turn, street by street, exit by more thought-provoking reading, did, in exit. Just click “Calculate Route” and fact, strike a deep chord in me. Their bam! You’re good to go. insight and creative expression have been But the purpose of a “trip” is not limit- stored in my consciousness as useful ed to getting from Point A to Point B. intellectual resources that come in handy Sometimes, the scenery and obscurity of when I’m offering counsel or trying to the voyage itself mark the very essence of sound smart. a journey. Most of my ever-so promising pickups, I used to think that there was some however, decorate my bookshelf, and

The GPS has excellent guidance, but its scenery is hardly as nice as the real thing.

special book out there, tucked away in have been doing so since their purchase the Self-Help section of Barnes & Noble, date. The best books I’ve ever read have that had all of the instructions for all of all taught me an invaluable lesson: Books life’s encounters. are great pointers. But they are not The In my mind, you couldn’t just get mar- Way itself. ried. You needed to first read every mar- Life is its own story. We will never riage book (including the entire “Mars know what to expect from the unexpect- and Venus” collection, in both digital and ed. And that’s what makes it ours. paperback forms), download every “mar- As Elie Wiesel said, “Of all the books in riage app,” talk to every marriage thera- the world on ‘Life,’ I have no doubt that pist, and meditate on the word: “mar- the life of one person outweighs them all.” riage” for hours in solitude before ever Sometimes we get so wrapped up in considering the actual venture of an oh- the anxiety of studying, that we end up so-holy matrimony. missing the actual exams. Lately, I spend And the prospect of having my own less time looking for new answers in child? That would probably require a Barnes & Noble, and focus more on get- flawless memorization and recitation of ting comfortable with the inner ques- the entire “What To Expect When You’re tions. Because life’s greatest achieve- Expecting” series (including footnotes, ments stem not from an absence of con- endnotes, and appendixes I-IV). fusion, but from its very confrontation. Life, it seemed, came in a box. The box, I still cherish the Pointers, but I try not however, came without an instruction to miss out on The Way. The GPS has manual. The instructions, I was sure, dan- excellent guidance, but its scenery is gled out there—I just needed to locate hardly as nice as the real thing. their hallowed hideout amidst the digital Enjoy the trip and, perhaps, every so aisles of Amazon or iBooks. often, consider taking the scenic route. The elusive “answer” was waiting After all, you only get one ride. O somewhere . . . over the rainbow, perhaps. Doni Joszef, LMSW, has published numerous So I bought a lot of books. A lot of articles exploring psychosocial trends with a self- them. Some of us (Yours Truly included) reflective twist. He practices psychotherapy and was clinically trained at Beck Institute and NYU, are just suckers for tempting book covers specializing on adolescence and young adulthood. laden with smiley faces, thumbs ups, and Available by appointment. For more information, feel-good slogans. Their titles exclaim: visit www.deficitofattention.com, call 516-316- 2247, E-mail [email protected], or message Become Happy,Joyous, and Free: No Time through Twitter @DoniJoszef.

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5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 24, 2011 23 24 June 24, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES America Gets It Continued from Page 22 don’t ‘get’ America and don’t ‘get’ [G-d].” There’s something embarrassing about the fact that declaring belief in the Divine is crucial for an American political candidate while for most Israeli leaders mere mention of Him seems off-limits. But Mr. Mead’s observation is poignant. Even if many Israelis and Israeli leaders telegraph a kochi v’otzem yadi (“My strength and the power of my hand”) mindset, most Americans and their political representatives see a Higher Power at work in the world. And see Israel and the Jewish people as worthy of their concern and hope. That should give us all pause. We are in galus, to be sure, in exile from our land— and, worst of all, from the relationship to the Creator we once merited. But as the stages and venues of our exile have unfolded, the way-station called the United States of America has proven itself unique. Yes, there are Jew-haters here too. But the overwhelming aggregates of both our country’s political establishment and its populace are well-disposed, deeply so, to Jewish citizens and to a Jewish state halfway around the world. And so, while we may be tempted at times to succumb to the coarseness of American political debate, allowing dis- agreement to devolve into derogation; or tempted to afford laws of the land less respect than they deserve (in the eyes not only of government but of halacha), it behooves us all to stop and control ourselves. And remind ourselves how fortunate we are, in a world where hatred of Jews is widespread and visceral, to live in a land that provides us not only freedom and protection but concern and respect. Remembering that is not corny or jin- goist. It’s an expression of what may be the most fundamental Jewish high ideal, hakaras ha’tov—in its most literal sense: recognition of the good. O

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5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 24, 2011 25

Summer Drinks

When the weather gets hot, we need (which is sweeter than coconut milk), to find refreshing ways to cool down. pineapple, fresh lemon juice, and ice in a Since we can’t always get to the beach, blender. Garnish with toasted coconut cooling off with a cold beverage can and a slice of pineapple. invigorate and reenergize us from the inside out. Whether you want to spike your drinks for an adult cocktail or keep

Combine lime and mint or peaches and rosemary and muddle them with crushed ice to release the flavors.

it simple for a kid-friendly treat, there are many beverages you can make at home to cool down on a hot summer day. Try these summer beverage ideas. Flavored lemonades. Make traditional Watermelon-strawberry purée. Scoop lemonade with freshly squeezed lemons, out the melon and purée with strawber- sugar, and water. Purée your berry of ries, with ice, and fresh lime juice. To add choice, like strawberries or blueberries, to the presentation, use the scooped-out with sugar and mix into lemonade. You melon as a serving bowl or serve with a can also add a splash of cranberry juice or watermelon and strawberry slice on the grape juice to make a pink lemonade. rim of the glass. Tropical delight. Mix cream of coconut Continued on Page 28 3rd-Grade Three-peat Champions!

Shaaray Tefila B was this year’s 3rd-grade boys Orthodox Little League champions, for the 3rd year in a row! Front Row (L–R): Meir Greenblatt, Yisroel Wolf, Shimi Kirscher, Aharon Fox, Dovi Olshan, Akiva David, Daniel Jonas, Yitzchok Sittner. Back Row (L–R): Shmuel Yosef Pluchenik, Shmuel Rubin, Yehudah Aryeh, Simcha Spurn, Yitzchok Lowy, Shimon Berger. Coaches: Motti Fox, Baruch Aryeh. 26 June 24, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 24, 2011 27 THE DISH Continued from Page 26 Drink over ice. Fruit smoothies. Purée a combination of fresh and frozen fruit with milk, chocolate milk, or fruit juice and ice. It’s a healthy snack as well as a refreshing drink. Slushy drinks. Blend fresh fruit juice, such a grapefruit or lemon, with a lot of ice in a blender till crushed. Add pome- granate or strawberry syrup to the glass and combine to make a margarita-like beverage, with or without alcohol. Fruit-and-herb spritzers. Fresh fruit and herbs are a great combination for a refreshing summer drink. Combine lime and mint or peaches and rosemary and muddle them with crushed ice to release the flavors. Top off with seltzer and more ice and add some whole herbs for garnish. Iced teas. Brew any of your favorite flavors of tea; cool and add lots of ice. You can also brew the tea in the refrigerator by steeping in cold water overnight. Add apple juice to sweeten, lemonade for a twist, or fresh fruit or herbs for added depth of flavor.

Mint Limeade Ingredients: 2 cups sugar 2 cups water zest of 2 limes 1 cup fresh mint leaves, divided 2 cups crushed ice, plus more for serving 2 limes cut into wedges 1/2 cup fresh lime juice white rum (optional for alcoholic beverage) seltzer water Directions: Place sugar and water in a small pot and bring to a boil. Cook for 1 minute to dissolve sugar completely. Take off of heat and add zest and 1/2 cup mint. Let mint and zest steep in syrup for half an hour. Strain and refrigerate until cold. Meanwhile, muddle the other 1/2 cup of mint leaves and lime wedges with crushed ice in a pitcher. Add one cup of cooled syrup, lime juice, more ice (and rum if desired). Pour into glasses halfway up and top off with seltzer. Garnish with lime wedges and mint.

Want to learn how to cook delicious gourmet meals right in your own kitchen? Take one-on-one cooking lessons or give a gift to an aspiring cook that you know. For more information, contact Take Home Chef personal chef services by calling 516-508-3663, writing to [email protected], or visiting www.TakeHomeChef.net.

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28 June 24, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 24, 2011 29 The Shavuos That Wasn’t: Conclusion Continued from last week. nia but there were no clots. However At 10:00 a.m. a hospital emergency- (there was always a however) the results room doctor declared that I had pneumo- of other tests I’d had during the day were nia and needed to be admitted. I agreed, just now coming back and indicating despite the fact that my own doctor did- other possible problems. They were scar- n’t have privileges in that hospital. Big ing me half to death with possibilities. mistake! Once admitted, eager-beaver “You possibly have a heart problem and hospital doctors had big plans for me (or you possibly have a kidney problem.” maybe it was for themselves) and, over a The only thing I didn’t possibly have was four-day period, I was tested for every- dog fleas! “You need an angiogram first thing and anything. They didn’t miss a thing tomorrow but you’ll need to give trick. signed permission for a stent in case It was 6:00 p.m. before I was finally set- there’s a blockage and for transfer to tled into a room. My daughters were with another facility in case you need open me and telling me to relax. With doctors heart surgery.” That was when I knew waltzing in and out every few minutes, why the windows in my room didn’t relaxing wasn’t even a hope. By midnight, open. It was to prevent patients from everyone had departed, except for the jumping out. daughter who insisted upon spending Silently, I called for Arnie. But Hubby the night in a chair next to my bed. She was a no-show. He didn’t appear until I closed the light and I closed my eyes. But, came to my senses and allowed him to. just as I was drifting off to sleep, another And this I did by reminding myself what doctor popped into my room to say that he would have said and how he would a test result had just come back indicat- have said it. Then I heard him. “Hannah, ing that there could be clots in my lungs. if you haven’t had a heart attack after I needed an immediate CT scan. It was today, you never will. Stop worrying. not a comforting moment. There’s nothing wrong with your heart.” At 1:00 a.m. I was returned to my He was with me and I relaxed. room to find a reception committee. Before the angiogram, I was to have Three doctors surrounded my bed and nothing to eat or drink for several told me that the scan showed pneumo- hours and, despite my hacking cough, I

30 June 24, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES wasn’t allowed a single drop of water. the same way.” hospital. I almost wept with relief. If I’d rolled her eyes and explained hospital No one but my daughter seemed to care The answers weren’t satisfactory, but it had the energy I would have done a facts of life to her. A third daughter asked that I was choking. She held my hand made little difference because by then I horah. My hovering daughters would go every doctor who approached my bed and we waited. The test was scheduled had figured out that I wasn’t merely a home and Idella would stay. Idella is one where he did his training. I was embar- for 9:00 a.m. but when no one came for hospital patient, I was also a prisoner. of my soulmates. I’m privileged to have rassed but too sick to do anything about me by 10:30, she went to inquire about Thank G-d everything turned out fine but several of those. Note: Only mature any of it so I just let Larry, Curly, and Moe the delay and learned that the test had it was one of the most frightening days of women have soulmates. It rarely happens do their thing, and took comfort in the been cancelled but that the nurse had my life. It was also one of the longest. early in life and almost never happens fact that within a few hours this loving forgotten to tell us. I prayed my daugh- The next day, still insisting that I might between two men. Optimally, husbands triumvirate would depart and Idella ter wouldn’t hurt her! Now that was a have a heart problem, a doctor ordered and wives are soulmates to each other would arrive. real possibility. that I be fitted with a Holter monitor and but that’s about it for males. It’s rare even Lab technicians were constantly tak- Later, a doctor came to explain that I’d transferred to the telemetry ward for between mothers and children regardless ing blood from me and what was left of had dye for the lung scan and that inject- monitoring. So off I went, rolled in my of how much love exists between them. my blood was being thinned by Heparin ing me with more dye for the angiogram bed, into an elevator, and down to anoth- I loved having my daughters with me in my IV and a diet of Plavix and Aspirin. would be too taxing for my less than per- er floor. New room, new nurse, new but they belonged at home with their And they were wondering why I felt fect kidneys. That was why the test had everything! This was getting to be a habit. families for Shavuos. Having Idella with weak? I was wondering why they were been cancelled. Apparently they aren’t all wondering! And I wanted to tell them that worried about a heart blockage. I but, lacking the energy, I just quietly lay heard Hubby’s “What did I tell you?” I lay there with IV lines in both arms and oxy- there and smiled and the doctor probably gen cannulas in my nostrils, feeling as thought I was being sociable. I thought, if the original X-ray helpless as an infant. Confused by so many contradictions, On a brutally hot day I was sent for a I asked questions. “If no clots were nuclear stress test. The outdoor temper- found in my lungs, why did one of the didn’t show the pneumonia, how ature was 94 degrees but in the nuclear tests indicate that there might be? If department it was bone-chillingly cold. I the scan showed pneumonia why didn’t will another one show if it’s better? sat shivering in my designer hospital the X-ray show it? Why did only a few gown until one kind soul noticed my of the doctors who ‘listened’ to my discomfort and quickly covered me with chest hear the pneumonia?” And there one blanket and draped a second one was Hubby again, whispering, “Wait till around my neck and shoulders. The you hear the bubbeh meisa answers The first days in the hospital, I was me would be perfect. And the hospital blankets were a replica of my mother’s you’re going to get now.” As always, he attended to at all times by my daughters staff would be overjoyed to see my girls dairy dish towels from the 1950s; white, was right on target. but I insisted that they were not to stay leave. When my nurse took an entire day with three blue stripes at each end. I “No test is perfect so we don’t know with me over the holiday. That called for to call my cardiologist’s office to request resembled a cross between an over- why your D-dimer test results were so another conference and together they left a fax of my recent test results, one daugh- stuffed dish towel and the late Mother elevated but we had to check it out.” I my room, returning a few minutes later ter screamed, “Our holiday starts at sun- Teresa of Calcutta. Later that same day, didn’t know what a D-dimer test was or to inform me that a decision had been down and the doctor’s office is closing in my daughters departed, yom tov arrived why I’d had one but I opted not to ask. reached. My friend Idella would stay with two hours. Do it right now!” Another and so did Idella who, not surprisingly, “Pneumonia can’t always be seen on an me over Shavuos. She would be my com- daughter said, “I don’t want interns or was a huge comfort. X-ray and yours was not.” And lastly, panion and my advocate and she would residents, I want an attending physician “Not all doctors interpret chest sounds sleep at a hospitality house next to the to take care of my mother.” My nurse Continued on Page 32

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 24, 2011 31 points with new safety fixtures. $535 THAT’S THE WAY IT IS! Cost; $1,505 Return Continued from Page 31 6. Replacing or shampooing dirty carpets. Steam clean carpets so that they I had come into the hospital with only look clean and fresh or replace any worn the clothes on my back but my daughters carpets and repair any creaky floors. $647 had somehow managed to bring every- Cost; $1,739 Return thing from my house that wasn’t nailed Obviously, there are many more things down. I was surrounded with all the com- Fix-Ups That Are Worth The Price that can be done by do-it-yourselvers in forts of home, with one exception; I preparing a house for sale other than would have killed for tissues that didn’t I happened to read the results of a sur- Cost; $2,194 Return these six projects. I have listed the six feel like sandpaper. vey done by HomeGain, a real estate mar- 4. Landscaping enhancements. Punch projects mentioned as part of this survey As I suspected, as sick as I was, from keting company. The topic of this survey up the home’s curb appeal in the front specifically to point out the amazing the time Idella arrived until the time she was “Simple and affordable do-it-yourself and back yards by adding bark mulch, amount of dollar return on projects that left, I smiled. I was unable to laugh projects that can greatly enhance a home’s bushes, and flowers and ensuring current cost very little to implement and just take because when I attempted to do that I resale value.” The marketing company sur- a little elbow grease on the part of the would cough and choke. But she kept me veyed nearly 600 real estate professionals homeowners involved. entertained and relaxed—something my to discover which of these do-it-yourself Selling with an idea to let the buyer daughters, because of their inexperience home improvement projects gave sellers Clean all windows take care of whatever needs to be done— with illness combined with their youth, the biggest return for their buck. inside and out, replace not taking care of small and doable proj- were unable to do. Although many of these items have ects—in effect lowers the amount of Eventually I improved and was dis- been mentioned in my previous arti- old curtains, update money that sellers might receive for their charged with instructions to have cles, this particular survey gave a dollar home. Just taking some time and effort another chest X-ray in three weeks, in figure towards cost and return that real- lighting fixtures, and may result in a great deal more bang for order to chart my progress. And I ly said it all. Here are six projects under their buck by really preparing for that sale. thought, if the original X-ray didn’t $1,000 (amounts are estimated) that remove anything that When you are ready to sell, have your show the pneumonia, how will another made the list. blocks light from real estate broker sit down with you and one show if it’s better? I didn’t bother to 1. Cleaning and decluttering. Remove prepare the possible do it yourself proj- voice that question aloud because I any personal items, unclutter counter- windows. ects that might assist you in realizing this knew from experience that the answer tops, organize closets and shelves, and extra buck potential prior to putting your wasn’t likely to make sense to me. So I make the home sparkling clean. $290 house out for the public. In today’s times, simply pasted a smile on my kisser, said Cost; $1,990 Return every dollar helps! O my goodbyes, and left. And as I did, I 2. Brightening. Clean all windows plants and grass are well cared for and thought, this hospital experience was inside and out, replace old curtains, manicured. $540 Cost; $1,932 Return Anessa Cohen lives in Cedarhurst and is a no picnic, but it’s true that every cloud update lighting fixtures, and remove any- 5. Repairing electrical or plumbing. Fix licensed real-estate broker and a licensed N.Y.S. has a silver lining because Hubby had mortgage broker with over 20 years of experience, thing that blocks light from windows. leaks under the sinks, remove any offering full-service residential and commercial been by my side. And, this time, my $375 Cost; $1,550 Return mildew stains, and ensure all plumbing is real-estate services (Anessa V Cohen Realty) and smile was genuine. O mortgaging services (First Meridian Mortgage) in 3. Smart staging. Rearrange furniture, in good working condition. Update the the Five Towns and throughout the tri-state area. bring in new accessories and furnishings home’s electrical with new wiring for She can be reached at 516-569-5007 or via her Hannah Berman lives in Woodmere and is a website, www.AVCrealty.com. Readers are licensed real-estate broker associated with to enhance rooms, incorporate artwork, modern appliances, fix any lights or out- encouraged to send questions or comments to Marjorie Hausman Realty. She can be reached at and play soft music in background. $550 lets that don’t work, and replace old plug [email protected]. [email protected] or 516-902-3733.

32 June 24, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES

Unashamed To Claim That It’s Our Land

Tidbits From Israel tent—demanding a settlements freeze, BY RON JAGER then backing down—unimaginative and politically wimpy.” Tom Friedman forgets A note to my readers: In my recent arti- to remind us how he has made every cle “Osama’s One Big Mistake” (5TJT June effort to convince us that Obama could 17, 2011) I inadvertently omitted the fact be trusted to safeguard Israel. But today, that this article was based on a similar almost three years later, when the Jewish article entitled “Bin Laden’s One Mistake” state—by virtually all accounts—is infi- by Shmuel Sackett, international director nitely more isolated and more maligned of Manhigut Yehudit. I regret any confu- than ever before, it seems utterly foolish sion that may have resulted. to have any faith in Obama now or ever.

“More Germans were killed than British and Americans combined, but there is no doubt in anyone’s mind that the war was caused by Germany’s aggression.”

N NN No, we cannot depend on the current U.S. The columnist Uncle Tom Friedman president, for he is a failed leader—at wrote this week about the performance least as far as Israel is concerned. of the White House during the Obama Maybe we should remind President Administration; “While President Obama Obama about the true narrative concern- and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton ing the Middle East. In this respect, I have gotten a lot of things right on for- think he can learn much from PM eign policy, they’ve made quite a mess in Netanyahu despite Obama not being par- Israeli-Palestinian relations, where ticularly sympathetic to Israel’s PM they’ve alienated all sides and generated zero progress. They’ve been inconsis- Continued on Page 35

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 24, 2011 33 Dear Esther, tions actually make the family unit feel My sister Rachel and I have always been stronger, more cohesive, and even more very close. We are 14 months apart and fun. When that happens, it’s like winning were more than sisters; we were best the lottery. Everyone comes out a winner. friends. We shared a room, we shared Sometimes the result of layering a fam- clothing, and we even shared friends. We ily with new additions—even people always got along so well and used to fanta- who come from distinctly different back- size about some day getting married and grounds, diverse ways of doing things, buying homes next door to one another. and colorful customs—can be a bit chal- I got married to Jay about a year and a lenging, but still manageable. half ago. I must say he is a very fine man. Of course, the worst scenario is what Very honest and decent. Polite, straight, you’ve just described. Spouses who not and a “what you see is what you get” kind only have nothing in common, but are of guy. He and Rachel seemed to get along diametrically opposed to one another in very well, and all was good. ways that create a volatile situation. It’s About six months ago, Rachel married intriguing to ponder how two sisters who Mark. From the moment I met him I did- have so much in common can be drawn n’t like him. Neither did Jay. There just to men who are so totally different. But seemed to be something kind of sleazy that’s for another column. For now, you about him. But Rachel seemed so happy are stuck with an egregious situation. with him, and I didn’t want to rock the I wish I could tell you that I have the boat, so I didn’t say anything to her about perfect solution to your problem—the my feelings. They seemed to be in love. ideal way of getting Mark and Jay to make Since the time of their marriage, we’ve peace, embrace one another, and become had the opportunity to spend a lot of best friends forever. But I can’t. Because time with Rachel and Mark. Now it’s no you can’t and neither can Rachel. longer just a feeling. I really can’t stand Clearly there is something about their Mark. And even worse, Jay literally hates two personalities that is like oil and him. Last week we were at a family barbe- water. Unfortunately, that happens some- cue, and Mark and Jay got at it so badly, times between people. It’s awful, but that I think if my brother hadn’t been there are those occasions when individu- there to break things up, it could have als’ egos cannot seem to tolerate one easily escalated into physical blows. another’s. It’s usually about feeling threat- When we got home, Jay read me the ened in some real or imagined way. And Riot Act. He says he never wants to be in when it gets to the level of tempers flar- the same room (or backyard) with Mark ing, and provocative behavior that comes again. He never wants to see his face or close to physical blows, it’s time to call a hear his voice ever again. He’s finished time out. For now, don’t even think about with him. But not only that, Jay is also getting Jay and Mark together. saying negative things about Rachel for However, that doesn’t mean that you bringing Mark into the family, and so he’s and Rachel can’t mend your own relation- not so thrilled with her as well. Though ship. Obviously, there has to be an under- Jay is usually a very reasonable man, standing regarding what it needs to look whom I can talk to about almost any- like. First and foremost, it has to be under- thing, when I’ve tried to bring up this sit- stood that neither of you will discuss your uation, he gets angry and tells me to not husbands. No defending them, explaining even think about going there. why they are the victim, no finger point- I’m absolutely heartbroken. All of ing at the other’s husband, etc. You get the Rachel’s and my dreams of living next idea. Because trying to prove that your door to each other and raising our chil- husband is really the “good one,” will only dren together have been shattered. I escalate and lead to hurtful words being haven’t even spoken to Rachel since the said that can never be taken back. So “hus- barbecue. I’m sure she’s feeling as dis- band talk” is off limits for now. tressed as I am over the whole thing. Of I have to believe there is so much more course I believe my husband Jay was to your relationship and that you can get wronged. My guess is that Rachel proba- past this issue. Not easy and not simple, bly feels her husband was wronged. but it should be doable, if you both work Meanwhile, is there any way of resolv- very hard at keeping it safe. You two had ing this horrendous situation? Any way so much in common and so much to talk to get Jay and Mark to at least just get about way before either of you even had along? When I think that my sister who husbands. Focus on everything and any- is also my best friend will no longer be a thing, except . . . major part of my life, I feel sick over it. And don’t despair or give up hope that There’s got to be some solution to this sit- things can’t turn around some day. Mark uation. I just don’t know what it is. Any and Jay are both young and maybe a little suggestions? self righteous. People grow, mature, settle Heartbroken down, and often soften with time. There Dear Heartbroken, is good reason to believe that the day may What a sad mess you and Rachel are in. come when they are able to initially toler- So much collateral damage because two ate being together and even, if you guys grown men don’t seem to be able to get get lucky, enjoy one another’s company. along. It is heartbreaking. It happens. When siblings marry individuals who Esther blend into the family structure and fit Esther Mann, LCSW, is a psychotherapist in Lawrence. Esther works with individuals and together like pieces of a puzzle, it is truly couples. She can be reached at a blessing. Sometimes, these new addi- [email protected] or 516-314-2295. 34 June 24, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Tidbits From Israel PM Netanyahu was asked tion, and pogroms. 16. The UN was silent while unashamedly claim the truth, Continued from Page 33 during the interview about 9. The number of Arab the Jordanian Arabs systemati- this is not a narrative, it is the Israel’s so-called occupation of refugees who left Israel in 1948 cally desecrated the ancient truth: the land belongs to the Netanyahu. We the public can Arab lands. His response was, is estimated to be around Jewish cemetery on the Mount Jewish Nation. O certainly get a good measure of “It’s our land.” The reporter 630,000. The number of Jewish of Olives. Ron Jager is a 25-year veteran of the satisfaction from an interview (CNN) was stunned. refugees from Arab lands is esti- 17. The UN was silent while Israel Defense Forces, serving as a field with British television during mated to be the same. the Jordanians enforced an mental-health officer. Prior to retiring in 2005, he served as the commander the retaliation against Hamas’ It’s Our Land: A Crash 10. Arab refugees were inten- apartheid-like policy of prevent- of the central psychiatric military shelling of Israel. Course on the Arab-Israeli tionally not absorbed or inte- ing Jews from visiting the Temple clinic for reserve soldiers at Tel- The interviewer asked Conflict grated into the Arab lands to Mount and the Western Wall. Hashomer. Since retiring from active duty, he has been providing Netanyahu: “How come so 1. Israel became a nation in which they fled, despite the vast As we approach the moment consultancy services to NGOs, many more Palestinians have 1312 BCE, 2,000 years before the Arab territory. Out of the of truth in September when the implementing psychological trauma treatment programs in Israel. Today, been killed in this conflict than rise of Islam. 100,000,000 refugees since United Nations ignores histori- Ron serves as a strategic advisor to the Israelis?” (A nasty question if 2. Since the Jewish conquest World War II, theirs is the only cal facts and distorts prior reso- Director of the Shomron Liaison Office. To contact him, e-mail there ever was one!) in 1272 BCE, the Jews have had refugee group in the world that lutions passed by the UN itself, [email protected]. To contact Netanyahu: “Are you sure that dominion over the land for has never been absorbed or inte- we must all stand up and him: [email protected] you want to start asking in that 1,000 years with a continuous grated into their own people’s direction?” presence in the land of Israel for lands. Even today, Arabs living Interviewer: (Falling into the the past 3,300 years. in all of Israel (from the river trap) “Why not?” 3. The only Arab dominion Jordan to the sea) still bear sur- Netanyahu: “Because in World since the conquest in 635 CE names of the villages from War II more Germans were killed lasted no more than 22 years. whence they came—from all than British and Americans com- 4. For over 3,300 years, over the Arab world. bined, but there is no doubt in Jerusalem has been the Jewish 11. Jewish refugees were com- anyone’s mind that the war was capital. Jerusalem has never pletely absorbed into Israel, a caused by Germany’s aggression. been the capital of any Arab or country no larger than the state And in response to the German Muslim entity, even when the of New Jersey. blitz on London, the British Jordanians occupied Jerusalem. 12. The PLO’s Charter still calls wiped out the entire city of 5. Jerusalem is mentioned for the destruction of the State Dresden, burning to death more over 700 times in the Tanach. of Israel. German civilians than the num- Jerusalem is not mentioned 13. Under Jordanian rule, ber of people killed in even once in the Koran. Jewish holy sites were desecrat- Hiroshima. Moreover, I could 6. King David founded the ed and the Jews were denied remind you that in 1944, when city of Jerusalem. Mohammed access to places of worship. the R.A.F. tried to bomb the never visited Jerusalem. Under Israeli rule, all Muslim Gestapo Headquarters in 7. Jews pray facing Jerusalem. and Christian sites have been Copenhagen, some of the bombs Muslims pray towards Mecca, preserved and made accessible missed their target and fell on a with their backs toward Jerusalem. to people of all faiths. Danish children’s hospital, 8. All Jewish refugees were 15. The UN was silent while 58 killing 83 little children. Perhaps forced to flee from Arab lands Jerusalem synagogues were you have another question?” due to Arab brutality, persecu- destroyed by the Jordanians.

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 24, 2011 35 ly developing a car that a driver can steer Okay, so you’ll have to stop rubber- Look, Ma! No Hands! with his eyes. This frees up his hands to necking at accidents. You also can no do whatever it is he needs to do while longer discipline your kids in the back driving, such as play with the radio. Okay, seat, like you were able to back when cars BY MORDECHAI SCHMUTTER stant eye on it, or people would keep so he can’t do that, because he still needs were steered with your hands. And if siphoning coffee out of the tank while his eyes to drive. But he can definitely do you’re driving on mountain roads, you We live in exciting times. I recently you’re at work. And come to think of it, at things he doesn’t need his eyes for, such don’t want to look at the view. read an article about a company in four bucks a cup, you may as well ride a as scratch his feet. He can attack his feet Q: What if the driver dozes off? Or England that, in an effort to show people bike. On 56 cups of coffee, you can go with both hands, so long as he keeps his what if he blinks? how to live green, created a prototype car pretty much anywhere on a bike. You can eyes on the road. A: Actually, the car automatically stops that runs on coffee. They figured that if when you close your eyes. So, for exam- people can run on coffee, why not cars? ple, if you come to a red light, you have to Okay, so there are still some bugs to close your eyes to stop the car, and then work out. For example, in order to drive try to guess when the light has turned one mile, the car needs to burn an equiv- What if the car breaks down? green again, based on the honking. alent of 56 cups of espresso. And because Q: But what if one of the passengers the tank can only be so big, you would looks at the windshield? And what if have to stop every 30 miles to refuel. Do we take it to the side of the everyone in the car is looking in a differ- Thankfully, there are coffee shops on ent direction? every street corner. road and shoot it? A: They’ve fixed that problem too. In “I’d like to buy 840 cups of coffee, and order to steer the car, the driver has to hurry! I’m late for work!” wear a modified bicycle helmet, so the On top of that, you also have to stop car knows whose eyes to follow. So if every 60 miles to change the coffee fil- you get this particular car, you’ll be ters. But on the other hand, the car cross oceans. Anyway, they plan on putting this car sure to look really cool, driving around smells great. Thankfully, there is some other car into production as soon as they have all and scratching your feet with a bike Maybe that’s not such a good thing, technology that is actually closer to being the kinks worked out. I wouldn’t worry. helmet on. though, because you’d have to keep a con- ready. A company in Germany is current- What’s the worst that can happen? “What’s with the bike helmet?” “It helps me steer the car with my eyes!” “Sure.” They’re also solving a lot of the problems by creating a second mode, where you can set the car to do all the driving on its own. The car will sense obstacles and speed limit signs, and you’ll be free to stare adoringly at your phone until you come to the intersection, when the car will stop and wait for you to space in and look in a particular direction. But isn’t that just typical, though? Society has a problem of people driving and texting at the same time, so instead of creating some kind of, I don’t know, hands-free texting device where you just talk into the phone and the phone types up what you say and sends it to the other person’s phone, which then reads the message out loud to the person, they went and made a hands-free car! Those silly Germans. What will they think of next? Now before I get a bunch of stern letters sticking up for the poor German sci- entists, I want to point out that I am not actually hurting anyone. In fact, a lot of the questions we’re asking are actually helping them improve their technology, so that one day, before we know it, cars will be able to drive entirely by themselves, and we’ll be able to go places without even being in the car. And in fact, humor columnists throughout the ages have always made harmless jokes about technology. Let’s go back in time and take a look: Five Towns Jewish Times, June 1959: Don’t Take the Belt! A Humor Column by Morris Kenneth Schmutter So I hear that Volvo just patented something called a “seatbelt.” Apparently, it keeps your pants up, but only if you’re sitting in a car. No, I’m just kidding. It’s supposed to keep you in your seat while you’re driving. Because otherwise you’ll just wander away, apparently. Maybe we should start putting them on the seats in my classroom so my students will stop getting up. Seriously, what is this obsession with safety nowadays? When I was growing up, we just roamed around in the back seat, and when my father wanted us to be quiet, he would hit the brakes, and we 36 June 24, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES would all slam into the back of his chair. We had no seatbelts, and we all turned out just fine, except that I no longer fin- ish all of my Five Towns Jewish Times, June 1911: This is Not a Crank, A Columne of Humour by Myron Hyman Schmutter So Ford just came out with a car that doesn’t have a crank on the front. No crank? How are we supposed to wind it up in the morning? With a key? Not only that, but they say that this new car is supposed to go faster than a horse. They’re even throwing around words like “horse- power,” like they’re taking actual horses and putting them under the hood. I looked under the hood, and I had no idea what I was looking at, but I definitely did- n’t see any horses. Apparently, the car can do all this because it runs on gasoline. Gasoline! Why don’t we just run our cars on dyna- mite, while we’re at it? We’ll just attach a few sticks to the back of the car, and hope we don’t have to make any sudden turns! Also, when are they going to invent brakes? Five Towns Jewish Times, June 1886: Where Does One Stick the Carrots? A Comedy (in that all are still alive at the end:) by Melvin Clarence Schmutter So I hear from the newsie on the corner that they’re inventing a new kind of cart. I get all my news from the newsie— but not by purchasing a paper, mind you. I’ve discovered that if I stick around long enough, he eventually screams out the entire contents of the paper, including Ziggy. (That Ziggy is a delight! And what a marvelous head of hair he has!) Anyway, it seems that the Germans are coming out with something called a “horseless carriage,” or “car” for short. Q: Horseless? So it’s not going to move? A: Apparently, it will move by itself. At least downhill. But my question is this: Does it have to be horseless? My horses have become part of the family; I don’t want to lay them off. Perhaps they can sit in the cab with me. Q: What if the car breaks down? Do we take it to the side of the road and shoot it? Also, how is one supposed to make it go faster? There’s nothing to whip! A: Perhaps you’re supposed to whip the car in front of you. Personally, though, I’ve never whipped my horse to make it go faster. I just give it coffee. Q: Those crazy Germans. What will they think of next? So if the horse isn’t the one pulling the cart, who’s going to wear the blinders? Five Towns Jewish Times, June 2011. Wait. I just had an idea. O

Mordechai Schmutter is a weekly humor columnist for Hamodia and has written two books, both published by Israel Book Shop. He also does freelance writing for hire. You can send any questions, comments, or ideas to [email protected].

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5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 24, 2011 37 Shaindy put on a cleaning apron. “I’ll Tzedek what he thinks?” responsible for the damage, even though Dashed Dishes get started with the dishes,” she said. “Great idea,” replied Mr. Wilk. “I’ll give it occurred through fulfilling household Shaindy put a load of dishes in the him a call.” chores. The reason is that the wife has the dishwasher, and then went to clean the Mr. Wilk called Rabbi Tzedek: “Our legal status of a shomer sachar, a paid BY RABBI MEIR ORLIAN house. An hour later she returned to cleaning lady broke a china plate while guardian, because she fulfills these BUSINESS HALACHA INSTITUTE unload the dishwasher and stack the stacking the dishes,” he said. “Is it fair to chores in return for the husband’s respon- dishes on the counter. As she was stack- deduct $10 from her salary on account of sibilities and obligations towards her. As Mrs. Wilk was straightening her house ing the plates, one of them slipped from the damage?” such, she should be responsible for the when the doorbell rang. “Oh good!” she her hands. “Crash!” items that she handles—unless they are exclaimed. “Shaindy’s here.” Mrs. Wilk came running. broken through circumstances beyond Mrs. Wilk opened the door. “Good “I’m terribly sorry,” Shaindy said. “’I her control (oness)—were it not for the morning, Shaindy,” she said to her clean- was trying to be careful, but somehow “But we’re paying her concern of shalom bayis. ing woman. “How are you today?” the plate slipped.” good money for “This refers to a wife, though,” noted Mr. “Fine, thank you,” replied Shaindy. “There’s nothing to do now,” said Mrs. Wilk. “What about a cleaning woman?” “How was the party last night?” Wilk, “but I know that Bernie will be very cleaning,” argued Mr. “Obviously, the exemption of shalom “It was lovely,” replied Mrs. Wilk. “We upset. He gets upset every time one of bayis does not apply to her,” replied Rabbi had the whole extended family over for these dishes breaks.” Wilk. “There’s no point Tzedek. “Therefore, a cleaning woman Bernie’s 60th birthday. He was very When Mr. Wilk returned home that should be obligated for what she dam- touched.” evening, he noticed the broken pieces of in paying her and then ages in the course of her work. The same “May you share many more birthdays china in the garbage. “What happened to having dishes broken.” is true for other professionals who dam- together in good health,” Shaindy blessed the china plate?” he asked his wife. age (with the exception of porters, who them. “Shaindy was stacking the dishes and have another exemption; see C.M. 304:1). “I sure need your help this morning,” one fell,” Mrs. Wilk explained. “She was “Nonetheless, since it is commonplace Mrs. Wilk laughed. “There are lots of dish- trying to be careful.” Rabbi Tzedek replied: “In principle, the that dishes get broken occasionally in the es left over from last night, and I haven’t “I’d like to deduct $10 from her pay,” cleaning woman is responsible for what course of household chores, the practice had a chance to wash them. We used said Mr. Wilk. she damages during her work. However, of most homeowners is not to be particu- Bernie’s favorite set of china, the one “That’s not fair,” said his wife. “It was the general practice is not to be particular lar with their cleaning help over small with the royal blue swirl.” an accident; she didn’t mean to break the about damage like this, unless it was items, unless they were grossly negligent. “That set is lovely,” Shaindy acknowl- plate.” through gross negligence.” (Pischei Teshuva C.M. 331:1; Aruch edged. She had washed that china numer- “She’s got to be more careful,” insisted Rabbi Tzedek then explained: “The Hashulchan 331:7) O ous times. her husband. Talmud Yerushalmi addresses the case of “What’s great is that the set came in “There are times when we break dish- a wife who damaged her husband’s prop- This article is intended for learning purposes and not to be relied upon halacha l’maaseh. There are service for 24, so we had enough for es when we wash them,” protested Mrs. erty during the course of her household also issues of dina d’malchusa to consider in everybody,” added Mrs. Wilk. “At least it Wilk. “That’s life!” chores. It exempts the woman based on actual cases. Rabbi Meir Orlian is a faculty member of the used to have service for 24; over the years, “But we’re paying her good money for the rationale that otherwise, ‘ein lecha Business Halacha Institute, which is headed by we’re down to 20.” cleaning,” argued Mr. Wilk. “There’s no shalom habayis.’ If the husband would be HaRav Chaim Kohn, shlita, a noted dayan. For “That happens,” said Shaindy. “We’re point in paying her and then having dish- able to insist on payment, it would under- questions regarding business halacha issues, or to bring a BHI lecturer to your business or shul, always breaking dishes in my house, too.” es broken.” mine the relationship between the hus- please call the confidential hotline at 877-845- “I wouldn’t say it happens all the time,” “It seems unreasonable to me to hold band and wife. (Even Ha’ezer 80:17) 8455 or e-mail [email protected]. To receive BHI’s free newsletter, Business Weekly, said Mrs. Wilk. “I try to be very careful. her accountable for each broken dish!” “The implication of this statement is send an e-mail to But you know, over the years . . .” said his wife. “How about we ask Rabbi that, in principle, the woman is legally [email protected].

38 June 24, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 24, 2011 39 (because of his anivus), was that for one 11th grader, this was also a siyum in seder Nashim and Nezikim. Through his unusual hasmada since seventh grade in Yeshiva Ketana of Long Island, he has been able to accomplish this extraordinary task, which includes learning it with Tosfos. According to his rebbeim and older 17th Annual Siyum At should be a chacham v’gadol b’Torah. Not bachurim, he really knows it! Yeshiva Derech Ayson to raise him merely to be his helper, Rabbi Brafman said that the greatness The 17th annual siyum at Yeshiva apprentice, or to take over his business, of these siyumim is that while the yeshi- Derech Ayson was celebrated on June 12, but to raise him with the aspirations of va can produce the individual who will when 111 talmidim were mesayeim becoming a gadol b’Torah. be the one in a thousand, they can also Masechta Kidushin. Eliezer Brown spoke divrei agadah on provide an opportunity to a large cross The guest speaker, Rav Aharon Kahn, the Gemara about Rav Nachorai who says section of talmidim to be successful and shlita, delivered a very powerful speech “Eini melamed bni ela Torah.” feel an accomplishment in their learn- about the primacy of limud haTorah. His Zev Markowitz said a shtikel Torah on ing. He also mentioned the fact that on words revolved around the Rambam who the sugyeh of ‘Mekudesh l’acher lomed’. Monday morning the bachurim would Mr. Fisher and Meir Retter, who achieved the in Hilchos Daos writes that the ultimate One of the secrets revealed at the be starting the chazarah cycle for highest score on the financial literacy exam. reason one should want a son is that he siyum, without mentioning his name Kiddushin, and many are still reviewing the masechtas from the past few years. The atmosphere at the siyum was both for Men, the students covered topics such festive and elevating. O as the basics of investments, stocks and bonds, mutual funds, and credit cards. Dollars And Sense At Mesivta At the conclusion of the training, Yesodei Yeshurun which was spread over the spring semes- A 2008 Kiplinger article pointed to the ter, an exam was administered to the stu- need for financial education to transform dents, with monetary prizes awarded to the United States from being “a nation of the students who achieved the highest financial illiterates.” scores. The training and exam were spon- This past year, Mesivta Yesodei sored by Solomon Goldfinger, senior vice Yeshurun’s general studies department, president and senior advisor to the presi- under the guidance of the principal, Mr. dent of New York Life Insurance Co., in Norman Fisher, started to address the memory of his father, Jacob Goldfinger. O need by incorporating the basics of financial literacy into their ninth through Red Nose Awards For Lev Leytzan’s eleventh grade curriculum. Therapeutic Clowns Under a curriculum designed by Dr. Lev Leytzan, The Compassionate Charles Snow, dean of general studies, Clown Alley Inc., recently held their and taught by Dr. Kenneth Bigel, associate annual volunteer appreciation night hon- Esteemed rabbanim at the Yeshiva Derech Ayson siyum. professor of finance at the Lander College oring four young adult medical clowns

40 June 24, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES survivors. The Ambassador program provides a unique opportunity for Lev Leytzan’s young adult clowns to step outside their comfort zone, break down lan- guage, generational, and socioeconomic barriers, and bring joy and healing to those patients, mostly in nursing homes in Eastern Europe, who oftentimes receive the least attention. Michal Shulman, Avi Ballabon, and Yoni Katz have participated in the Ambassador program in the past. Founder and executive director of Lev Leytzan, Neal C. Goldberg, Ph.D., is grate- ful for all those involved in the organization. While the appreciation night honors all of the therapeutic clowns, the four honorees at the appreciation night have (L–R): Bally, Yo-Yo, and Noodles always deliver a laugh with Lev Leytzan. worked tirelessly and have shown great commitment and dedication to the Lev Leytzan mission of improving the lives of with the Red Nose Award for Outstanding themselves and the world around them “Clowns for Safety Squad,” a troupe that others. The impressions Lev Leytzan has Community Service. Lev Leytzan, a Long through the program. Lev Leytzan’s social creates performances to teach safety edu- made on the award winners themselves Island-based nonprofit organization, pro- action programs include “Clowns on cation to younger audiences and children and the patients they clown for has ongo- fessionally trains therapeutic clown vol- Call,” where volunteer clowns use their with disabilities. Finally, the Ambassador ing impact. Michal Shulman describes unteers to visit hospitals, nursing homes, medical clown training to interact and Therapeutic ClownCorps travels to other the reason she clowns. “One of the most and other facilities to heal therapeutical- engage with the medically frail and con- countries and clowns for needy elderly ly through laughter, comedy, and person- valescing children and adults, and the patients, many of whom are Holocaust Continued on Page 42 al interactions. The Red Nose Award honorees were awarded on June 18 for their commitment to volunteerism and to the Lev Leytzan mission. Red Nose Award Winners are Michal Shulman (SKA ’10), “Spaghetti the Clown,” 18, of Lawrence, Yoni Katz (DRS), “Yo-Yo,” 17, of Lawrence, Avi Ballabon (Darchei Torah), “Bally,” 18, of West Hempstead, and Eli Feder (Ateres Yaakov), “Noodles,” 19, of West Hempstead. The awardees have been with Lev Leytzan since the organization’s founding in 2004, a few joining for their bar and bat mitzvah projects. While they each began for different reasons, a common theme of their “clowning around” is the meaningful interactions with patients and the personal growth they have encountered. Why would a teenager, especially one who has to juggle the SATs, high school classes, GPA, and social pressures, choose to become involved with an organization that requires them to learn a new skill, enter a challenging situation (oftentimes working with dying children and adults), and step out of their comfort zone? The awardees each describe moments they recall of intense connection with another human being, where the therapeutic healing is so profound and their presence is appreciated. Avi Ballabon speaks of a connection with a patient he met recently. “Grabbing my hand, one of the boys turned to me, looked me straight in the face and said, ‘I am 17. I don’t know how long I’m going to live, but today is the happiest I’ve ever been. Thank you so much for everything you’ve done. Please let me give you a berachah.’ As he gave me this profound berachah, I understood that what we do reaches so much deeper than the surface of humor and laughter. We send actual joy.” As Ballabon states, these interactions embody what Lev Leytzan does, healing by bringing joy to the facilities and individuals that need the most attention. Lev Leytzan clowns participate in a year-round professional and rigorous training program led by experts in the medical field and circus world. The organization strives to help youth and adults develop themselves through medical clowning, allowing them to mature, take safe risks, and become more aware of 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 24, 2011 41 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS him on the yearbook, I began to appreci- Continued from Page 41 ate his razor-sharp wit that is matched only by his sensitivity and concern for amazing feelings about clowning is to see others. His judgment, writing ability, the smile on the face of a sick child who humor, and charm reveal a keen intellect maybe hasn’t smiled, laughed, and felt and a caring heart.” normal in months. It is even more amaz- The 2011/5771 salutatorian, Nathan ing to know that this was because of Akhavan, is the classic scholar/athlete. He you!” Lev Leytzan congratulates the is an Intel Semifinalist, on the Dean’s List, award winners and their families. For and received numerous academic excel- more information about Lev Leytzan, or lence awards as well as a National AP to help support their programs, e-mail Scholar’s Award from the College Board. [email protected] or visit levleytzan.org. O He is in the top shiur, fluent in Hebrew and Persian, and is appreciative of the Rambam Announces Class Of 2011 work ethic and commitment to service Valedictorian And Salutatorian that his parents instilled in him. Rambam Mesivta high school for boys “Nathan is simply a great kid! He is is proud to announce that Yechiel inquisitive, funny, friendly, athletic, and a Schwab has earned the distinction of (L–R): Rambam valedictorian Yechiel Schwab and salutatorian Nathan Akhavan. true ben Torah,” beamed principal Rabbi being the class of 2011/5771’s valedictorian Yotav Eliach. “In his four years at Rambam, and Nathan Akhavan, an Intel Nathan has earned the respect of faculty Semifinalist, will represent the school as assistant captain of Torah Bowl, captain of Yeshiva University. He is thankful to his and students alike. He has shown us how the salutatorian. the math team, a member of the College parents for all their guidance and support. to be competitive and graceful at the same After four years at Rambam, Yechiel is Bowl team, president and founder of the He recognizes that this accomplishment is time. We all wish him the best of luck as graduating with a near perfect average and classic film club, and captain of the bowl- as much theirs as it is his. he continues his studies.” a wide range of accomplishments that ing team. He excelled in all these endeav- “Yechiel is a mature and well-rounded At the Long Island Science and showcase his diverse interests and skills. ors and still managed to take seven AP young man,” voiced assistant principal Engineering Fair, Nathan’s experiments He is the editor-in-chief of Hamasmid, classes and earn a full merit scholarship to Hillel Goldman. “While working with with the fuel substance graphene, awarded him the grand award: 1st in category; a United States Air Force Certificate of Achievement; an ASM Materials Education Foundation Most Outstanding Exhibit in Materials Science Award; and a National Society of Professional Engineers Certificate of Achievement. He also won the United States Air Force 1st place team award, 3rd in category at the International Science and Engineering Fair. Nathan also excelled on the math team, was a member of the Rambam Scholar Enrichment Program, as well as their E2K institute which hones the math and analytical skills of outstanding students. Ever one to speak his mind, Nathan was also captain of this year’s mock trial team and one of the driving forces behind their success this year. Proving that the life of the scholar can extend beyond the library, Nathan was captain of the school’s hockey team in addition to being a star player on the soccer team. He also served as the senior council vice-president and was instrumental in improving the quality of student life through his hard work and dedication. Following graduation, Yechiel plans on learning in Israel at Yeshivat Har (Gush) Etzion before returning to study at Yeshiva University. Nathan also plans on going to Israel and learning in Sha’alvim and then returning to study in the Yeshiva University Honors Program to pursue a career in medicine. Rosh Mesivta, Rabbi Zev Meir Friedman, feels, “Yechiel and Nathan are accomplished young men with bright futures ahead of them. They represent what Rambam is about: academic excellence, middos, and a commitment to learning. Each one is a true ben Torah and pursues for the sake of avodas Hashem. We know that in Eretz Yisrael, in college, and beyond, they will always make us proud and be leaders in their communities, and make a kiddush Hashem.” O

Assembly And Senate Seek Justice For Fallen Long Island Firefighter Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg (D- Long Beach) and Senator Dean Skelos (R- Rockville Center) announced both the Assembly and Senate passed legislation they authored that would ensure the 42 June 24, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES names of firefighters who died in the line of duty are included on the New York State Fallen Firefighters Memorial (A.5933/S.4655). Under this legislation, the name of fallen Long Island Firefighter Paul Brady will be inscribed on the state monument. “While there is no way to repay the families of firefighters who make the ultimate sacrifice, the state memorial is a small way for New York to recognize their service,” Weisenberg said. “Paul Brady’s family, especially his children, deserve to see his name next to those of other fallen heroes from our state.” “The New York State’s Fallen Firefighter’s Memorial is reflective of the honor and sacrifice of heroic firefighters throughout our state and I am pleased that fallen firefighter Paul Brady will finally receive this distinction that is very long overdue,” said Senate Majority Leader Dean G. Skelos. “Paul was a devoted husband, a loyal friend, and a dedicated firefighter who under a tragic set of circumstances was killed in the line of duty. The passage of this legislation ensures that Paul’s name will be inscribed on the Fallen Firefighters Memorial where it belongs.” Paul Brady was a member of the Malverne Fire Department for six years and died while on duty. According to state and federal law, he was engaged in “line of duty” activity at the time of his death, which includes testing fire equipment, fire alarms, and water supply systems. The U.S. Fire Administration designated Brady with “on-duty” status. While his name is inscribed on the U.S. Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Maryland, it had been barred from the state Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Albany until now. “On behalf of the Malverne Volunteer Fire Department and the family and friends of our deceased brother firefighter, Paul Ryan Brady, we are pleased with the passage of the bill in both the Senate and Assembly,” said Malverne Fire Chief Daniel Morgan. “We look forward to the governor’s signature giving Paul the honor he deserves for giving his life for the residents of his community.” “We wish to extend our sincerest gratitude to the leadership of the state Senate and Assembly, in particular our local representatives, Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg and Senator Dean Skelos, who both sponsored these bills in their respective houses,” Morgan added. David Jacobowitz, president of the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York (FASNY), hailed the passage of the legislation in both houses as “a long awaited breakthrough that will be warmly embraced by volunteer firefighters throughout the state, which will bring a rational, objective set of standards to facili- tate the placement of the names of our fallen on the memorial wall in Albany.” “The families of firefighters who die in the line of duty deserve to have the comfort of a place to go to remember their departed and the assurance that their efforts are recognized by the citizens that they served so well,” said Jacobowitz. O

Mesivta Yam HaTorah’s First Dinner And Graduation June 15 was a special night for the founders of Mesivta Yam HaTorah. The Young Israel of Wavecrest and Bayswater’s social hall was filled to capac-

Continued on Page 44 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 24, 2011 43 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS Hakaras hatov and appreciation were Continued from Page 43 echoed by graduates, administration, and honorees to the rebbeim who further ity (over 150 attendees) as they witnessed exemplify the mission of the school— the first graduating class from Mesivta care and concern for each individual stu- Yam HaTorah and its first dinner. dent; to Young Israel of Wavecrest and Supporters of Yam HaTorah came to shep Bayswater for allowing Yam HaTorah to nachas for all the mesivta has accom- use their shul for its facilities; to the par- plished in three short years. In that time, ents of the year for caring for the school Yam HaTorah has put itself on track to as well as giving of their time to their become one of the outstanding mesivtas own community; to the Yam HaTorah par- in the Five Towns area. In keeping with ents for their 100% participation with this the yeshiva’s student-oriented education, event; and to the friends of the school the graduates were highlighted at its din- who continue to support the mesivta. ner and led the program. Mr. and Mrs. In appreciation to the Young Israel of Mark and Linda Frankel of Kew Gardens Wavecrest and Bayswater, Mesivta Yam Hills were honored as parents of the year. HaTorah presented a $3,000 donation to The overall message given over was the the synagogue to be used in partnership school’s focus on the students. As Mr. Rabbi Avram Pollak and Rabbi Shaya Cohen present a check to Rabbi Feuer and for the creation of a recreation/student Frankel said, “It would seem obvious; Young Israel President Hillel Adelman. lounge. The evening concluded with a obviously a school’s focus is the better- feeling of gratitude, enthusiasm, and ment and happiness of their students. additional energy to continue to promote Somehow it seems many schools lose they will continue with it throughout yeshiva world has to step up and deliver the mission of the mesivta. that focus despite having that belief, Yam their yeshiva years and beyond. As the the Torah in a way that makes the stu- Mazel tov to the graduates who are all HaTorah lives by that belief.” At Yam menahel stated, “In today’s world where dents feel good about themselves, good continuing their Torah education both in HaTorah, that is the goal and mission of instant pleasure is in the palm of your about Torah Judaism, and good about a Eretz Yisrael and America and have been the school. When students have a pleasur- hand at all times and students don’t have yeshiva way of life. We can’t simply say, accepted to colleges of their choice. able experience in a Torah environment, the patience for delayed enjoyment, the ‘When you will get older you’ll enjoy.’” Mesivta Yam HaTorah is located in Bayswater. For more information or to set up an interview please call Rabbi Pollak at 718-471-7471. O

Brooklyn G.O.P. To Wage Battle For Weiner District Brooklyn Republicans have announced that they have already begun speaking with potential candidates to run for the seat being vacated by Anthony Weiner. They will work closely with Queens County GOP Chairman Phil Ragusa, New York State GOP Chairman Ed Cox, and other elected officials to make the race to replace Anthony Weiner a competitive one. “Voters in Brooklyn and Queens need someone to represent their mod- erate to conservative views on issues like jobs, taxes, and keeping America safe,” said Brooklyn Republican Chairman Craig Eaton. “Hard-working men and women in our local neighborhoods are ignored by the liberal Democratic officeholders that dominate New York politics,” continued Eaton, “We intend on changing that by sending another Republican to Washington to fight for our working class and middle class voters, building on the GOP victories of last year with Congressman Michael Grimm and Assemblymember Nicole Malliotakis beating incumbents to take seats in Congress and the NYS Assembly.” Eaton stated, “There are many quali- fied candidates who have expressed interest in this seat and the county organizations are currently scheduling interviews of all potential Republican candidates for the seat Weiner is vacating.” Eaton concluded by stating, “We are confident that the candidate which is selected will make this an extremely competitive race. Let us not forget that Bob Turner, a businessman with no prior political experience, garnered 40% of the vote against incumbent Anthony Weiner in the last election cycle—this sends a clear message that this seat is definitely in play for the GOP.” At this time, potential GOP candidates include Bob Turner and Queens Councilman Erich Ulrich, a first-term city lawmaker who is being encouraged by former Mayor Rudy Giuliani to throw his hat into the ring. O 44 June 24, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES UJA-Federation Of New York Delivers Community Support Despite Mixed Economic Environment UJA-Federation of New York’s Board of Directors approved its budget for the fis- cal year beginning July 1, 2011, authorizing $136.4 million for program expenditures, including $126.2 million for grants and programs to support its network of beneficiary agencies and other grantees that provide services for 4.5 million people in New York, in Israel, and around the world. “Even in difficult financial times, UJA- Federation is leading the funding of crucial programs and initiatives that nurture lives and the global Jewish community,” said Jerry W. Levin, president of UJA-Federation. “Going forward, we are uniquely posi- tioned as an organization to help shape the Jewish world far into the future.” In this decidedly mixed economic environment, UJA-Federation and its beneficiary agencies continue to face the consequences of the most severe economic crisis since the Great Depression, including significant reductions in government funding to human services. And yet the 2012 budget maintains UJA- Federation’s commitment to an exceptional network of agencies, fulfills its mandate for global Jewish responsibility, responds to the challenge of urgent need among both the poorest in our city and middle-class Jewish families, and invests in the Jewish future. Approximately two-thirds of the approved grants provide unrestricted funding to UJA-Federation’s network of more than 100 beneficiary agencies— ranging from major international organizations to region-wide human service agencies to local community centers and camps. These unrestricted grants are a hallmark of the Jewish federation system, and despite the impact of the recession, UJA-Federation has maintained this funding for most of its domestic agencies at 99 percent of the pre-recession level. The approved grants include $2.25 million of funding for UJA-Federation’s Connect to Care, which was established in response to the economic downturn and in the last two years has served more than 40,000 primarily middle-class Jews. Connect to Care is moving from an emergency response to the economic crisis to a program that is embedded as a permanent part of how UJA-Federation serves the community. Connect to Care operates from seven multiservice centers in Long Island, Westchester, and New York City that bring together vocational, mental-health, legal, and financial counseling resources. UJA-Federation’s grants and other programs are made possible by the work of the organization’s dedicated volunteers and professional leadership that lead the largest community-based fundraising and planning efforts in the country. The funds allocated by the board were con- tributed by more than 60,000 donors, reflecting broad recognition by the New York Jewish community of the important role that UJA-Federation plays in New York, in Israel, and throughout the world. “The board’s approval of appropria- tions makes certain that UJA-Federation and its network of agencies will continue to provide essential care and services for Jewish communities in New York, Israel, and throughout the world,” said John S.

Continued on Page 47 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 24, 2011 45 a great place to do so. Whether you are thing to do! As people age, their joints Combating Obesity With Exercise working out by yourself, with a class, or, become stiffer and their bodies less flexi- better yet, with a trainer, make sure you ble. Stretching helps to maintain more BY DR. RACHAEL E. SCHINDLER activity level. They are also more likely to incorporate the three components of fit- fluid joints (which means less pain and sustain injury due to the high stress on ness. They are: strength training, cardio- better range of motion), enhances the We hear a lot about obesity these days, joints and improper form stemming from vascular training, and stretching. Here is effectiveness of resistance training, and the usual solutions range from gas- the excess weight. Additionally, severely what you need to do: improves balance (which is the first thing tric-bypass surgery to strict diets and lots overweight individuals may be con- In terms of strength training, the only to go as you age), and reduces the risk of of exercise. However, even with all this cerned that they do not have the athletic way to protect and make new lean mus- back injury. The best part is that it feels attention, there are a couple of aspects of ability to participate in an exercise pro- cle mass is by making your muscles work amazing and you only need to do it for a being severely obese—more than 100 gram. For these individuals, the best harder than they are used to, with resist- few minutes! pounds overweight—that no one is really advice I could give is “take it slowly.” It is ance equipment such as free weights, Some helpful last tips: If you are addressing. perfectly acceptable to begin at a slower machines, or bands. Your goal should be severely overweight, avoid floor exercis- I discovered these missing links when I pace and build up the intensity and dura- to do at least 3 sets of 10 reps of a given es, since getting up and down from the was working with two clients, sisters who tion of the exercise over time. exercise twice a week, choosing a weight floor can cause injury to various joints— were also nurses, both of them severely Speaking of time, there is no better that is sufficiently challenging so that aside from not being an easy task—and overweight. Their “biggest” problem? time than now, during the summer, when your muscles are fatigued after the first your body (especially your neck) may not They knew they had to exercise to get the you can immediately start non-weight- set. Now don’t worry about building bulk; be in alignment with the rest of your weight off and keep it off, and they even bearing, enjoyable activities such as you are not using a heavy enough weight spine due to the excess weight. Also, bits wanted to and sincerely attempted to; but swimming or bike riding for about a half to do that in 30 reps or so. The best part at a time count. Walk to your car, take the some of the popular exercises were down- hour per day, five days a week. At this is, the more lean muscle tissue you make, stairs . . . it’s all good! And finally, the right impossible to do because of their pace, you can lose about a quarter pound the more calories your body burns at rest, main thing for an overweight person to size! Unfortunately, this just further dis- of fat a week, or more! Another excellent even when you are not exercising! do when getting started is to not push couraged them from ever thinking that activity is walking, since it requires little Now for “cardio” or aerobic exercise. too hard lest they get discouraged too they could embark on a plan that would athletic ability and equipment and is You would want to work at a pace that is quickly. For the road to better health and be safe, easy, and effective! great fun, especially with a friend. I can’t challenging but not exhausting. This more stamina by exercising is a journey, So, together, we not only came up with begin to count the number of studies that means that your “perceived exertion” but one that will provide great benefits, a list of their exercise issues—and solu- show that partnering with friends or fam- should be that you could talk while doing including a healthier body weight. O tions—but I also incorporated the proper ily provides the support some overweight it. Not only does cardiovascular exercise Rachael E. Schindler, Ph.D. is a psychologist, guidelines for a worthwhile exercise regi- people need in order to keep up and be strengthen your heart and lungs and help founder of the “Quick N’ Lite Gourmet” meals men, which I would like to share with you. consistent with any exercise plan. So go your muscles better utilize energy and rid delivery, noted lecturer and author, pediatric and First of all, many adults who are over- ahead, make the exercise time produc- themselves of waste products, but it is adult nutrition counselor, certified personal trainer, and group fitness instructor and Pilates master for weight, and this includes those that are tive—physically, mentally, and socially! also best for fat burning, if you can do it over 20 years, practicing in Cedarhurst and middle-aged, experience a higher level of Now, for those who like to work out in for longer than 25 minutes at a time. Manhattan. She specializes in fitness, food, and behavioral issues in both children and adults. She discomfort or pain than people of a a health club or who want to take their Last but not least is stretching. As a can be reached to order, for an appointment, or for healthy weight when they increase their fitness level up to the next stage, a gym is Pilates master, this is my most favorite comments at [email protected] or 917-690-5097.

46 June 24, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES HEALTH SECTION

AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS get him back to the United States as Continued from Page 45 soon as possible, he found one that was scheduled to arrive four hours Ruskay, executive vice president and CEO before Shabbos—which would usually of UJA-Federation. “From the donors who ensure more than enough time to trav- provide the vital resources, to the volun- el from Newark to Brooklyn. Before teers and professionals who shape strate- the flight was about to land, however, gies and grants, to the network of global the pilot was told to change course agencies that actualize our mission, we and land at a military base in Bangor, acknowledge everyone involved. Each is Maine. What was the yungerman to essential, and each individual is valued.” do? Once Misaskim received the call, For a complete Report of Strategic volunteers immediately began phon- Directions and Grants 2011-12, visit ing their contacts at Continental www.ujafedny.org/get/74524/. O Airlines and attempting to reach other air travel officials. Misaskim Emergency Shabbos At just about the same time, another System Proves Invaluable call came in about a flight from Chicago The Misaskim organization, most to Newark that was being diverted to famous for the daily services that it pro- Hartford, Connecticut. It was easier to vides to grieving families, has recently make arrangements for that flight since it expanded its services by implementing was domestic, but while Misaskim a Shabbos Hotline, staffed by specially worked to resolve both situations, volun- trained non-Jews, to help coordinate teers were notified of a third flight from any situations regarding k’vod hameis Toronto that had been diverted to that should arise on Shabbos. This past Allentown, Pennsylvania. weekend, true to the Misaskim slogan Although the management of that reads “Im Hachayim . . . ,” the emer- Continental was very accommodating, gency system played a vital role in a dif- and Misaskim’s friends in the Customs ferent way. Just hours before the onset Department tried to be helpful, there of Shabbos, Misaskim was over- was no way to allow the young man whelmed by calls for help involving who was arriving from Israel to disem- three separate planes which had been bark at Bangor, since there was no cus- diverted from Newark Airport due to toms official on hand at the military inclement weather. base. Misaskim convinced Continental Several hours previously, a yunger- management to tag the flight as a prior- man in Eretz Yisrael had received a ity and it soon left again, heading chilling phone call informing him that towards Newark. his mother had become critically ill Misaskim then received word that the and requesting that he return home to couple who had been diverted to Brooklyn immediately. Frantically searching for an appropriate flight to Continued on Page 48

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES HEALTH SECTION June 24, 2011 47 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS trained under the direction of Harav Continued from Page 47 Yechezkel Roth, shlita, regarding all of the ways in which they may (and may not) Allentown were allowed to leave the help Shabbos observers deal most effec- plane, and that they would be able to tively with issues of k’vod hameis. The obtain transportation home just in time Misaskim Emergency Initiative has now for Shabbos. The individual on the proven itself to be an invaluable resource Hartford-bound flight did not need spe- in other ways as well. O cial intervention to be allowed off the plane before others, but Misaskim did set Natan Sharansky’s Statement On him up for Shabbos at the Chabad House The Passing Of Yelena Bonner in Hartford. Natan Sharansky, Soviet dissident, Although everyone had been hopeful Prisoner of Zion, and chairman of the that the plane from Eretz Yisrael would Jewish Agency for Israel, issued this state- arrive in Newark before Shabbos, it soon ment on the passing of Yelena Bonner: became evident that this was not to be. “The Jewish world and the State of Quickly, volunteers contacted the spe- Israel have lost one of their most passion- cially trained non-Jewish workers who ate champions. At the same time, the are involved in the Emergency Shabbos global community of democratic dissi- Initiative, and requested that they meet dents, political prisoners, and human the plane as it landed. One Misaskim vol- rights activists has lost one of its greatest unteer packed up as much food as any- leaders and advocates. Whereas Andrei one could want (and more!) for the Sakharov was the heart of our struggle to whole Shabbos and sent a Shabbos work- defeat the great evil of the Soviet system, er, and the package, to the airport, as Yelena Bonner was the engine that well. When the plane landed, customs encouraged us to act. officials and Port Authority Police “On a personal level, my family and I lost Officers were standing by to whisk the a great friend who stood with us in those young man off the plane. Misaskim’s most difficult days, and who never let us Shabbos workers obtained the luggage down. I shall cherish her memory always.” and brought it, together with a Siddur, N NN Chumash, and other Shabbos essentials, to the Marriot hotel in the inner circle of Yelena Bonner the airport, a location to which the by Chana Ya’ar yungerman could walk. Although there Former Soviet dissident Yelena was no vacancy at the hotel, Misaskim Bonner, the widow of Nobel Peace Prize arranged with the management to allow laureate Andrei Sakharov, has died in the the young man to stay in the lobby for United States at the age of 88. the duration of Shabbos. Born in Turkmenistan to Jewish revo- Misaskim’s team of non-Jewish lutionaries, Bonner exposed rights abuses Shabbos and yom tov assistants are fully in Chechnya. She served as the only link

48 June 24, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES HEALTH SECTION between the West and her international- Azoulai (Shas), who chairs the committee, America, represented the International the parents of minors who desecrate ly known nuclear physicist husband, a expressed impatience with the pace of Committee for the Preservation of Har graves responsible for damages. human rights activist who, in the 1980s, progress to restore and secure the ceme- Hazeitim at the hearing. He listed the com- The International Committee for the was sent to internal exile in the city of tery. Members of the committee at the mittee’s demands, spoke of the appeals Preservation of Har Hazeitim consists of Gorky, a closed city inaccessible to for- hearing that included Yaakov Edri that have been made to the U.S. govern- representatives of major Jewish organiza- eign observers. In 1975, Bonner accepted (Kadima), Nissim Zev (Shas), and Aryeh ment to condemn the violence and tions including Malcolm Hoenlein, exec- the Nobel Peace Prize on Sakharov’s Eldad (National Union) also recommend- destruction on Har Hazeitim, and men- utive vice chairman of the Conference of behalf in Oslo, Norway. ed that Har Hazeitim be added to the new tioned the efforts taken to persuade the Presidents of Major American Jewish A pediatrician by training, Bonner government initiative to restore, upgrade, local Arab authorities and the PA to con- Organizations. A visit by the Presidents spent much of her life in the Soviet and maintain more than 100 heritage demn the violence and desecration. Conference to Har Hazeitim last month Union’s civil and human rights move- sites in Israel. A budget of NIS 500 million Additionally, Mr. Daube mentioned the was covered by the Associated Press and ment. However, she spent her last few has been allocated for the effort. committee’s demand that the U.S. State appeared in hundreds of media outlets years in the United States, having become Chairman Azoulai also asked that his Department add the events on Har throughout the world. O disillusioned with the direction taken by request be discussed at a special ministe- Hazeitim to its annual report on violations “liberated” Russia. rial committee responsible for the her- of international religious freedom. He Ateres Yaakov Wins Volleyball Two years ago, she delivered a particu- itage program. ended his testimony by joining the com- Championship Over HAFTR larly strong pro-Israel speech in Oslo, blast- While many government witnesses mittee members in asking that the govern- The Lawrence Middle School gym was ing the Quartet of peacekeeping nations spoke of progress on Har Hazeitim, they ment take ownership over the issue. filled with exuberant fans last Thursday and opposing the so-called “two-state solu- were at a loss to explain the lack of secu- Avrohom Lubinsky, chairman of the night as the Ateres Yaakov Eagles battled tion” that would create a new Arab coun- rity that has resulted in the frequent ston- International Committee for the the HAFTR Spartans for the varsity volley- try from the Palestinian Authority. She ing of funeral processions and individual Preservation of Har Hazeitim, congrat- ball championship title. After two close also wrote an open letter to her human mourners. Several of the committee ulated the Knesset Interior Committee games during the regular season when rights colleagues, demanding to know members wondered why the long await- for taking the initiative to preserve Har the teams met in early April, which result- why the fate of kidnapped IDF soldier ed installation of lighting and surveil- Hazeitim, commenting that “every day ed in a win for each team, both teams Gilad Shalit did not seem to trouble the lance cameras has yet to be completed. that the plan to secure Har Hazeitim is knew they were destined to go far in the world in the same way as the rights of pris- The government officials responsible also not implemented is a day when mourn- playoffs, but had no idea they would face oners held in Guantanamo Bay. admitted that despite the increased ers and visitors are routinely stoned, off again in the championship game. Although Russian Human Rights efforts to restore many of the graves graves desecrated, and garbage strewn In the first game both teams came out Commissioner Vladimir Lukin said in a destroyed during the Jordanian occupa- throughout a sacred place.” Mr. strong, keeping the game extremely close statement that Bonner had made some tion (1947-1967), the cemetery is still not Lubinsky specially thanked the Shas throughout. The intensity was tangible in “harsh pronouncements” in her 40 years well maintained and that filth and Party, particularly Interior Minister Eli the arena and, finally, with no time-outs as an activist, he acknowledged that “only garbage reign in many areas. Yishai, for his leadership and help with being used, the Eagles eventually took people like that could help us cross from A senior official at the Ministry of this urgent matter. the win, 26-24. Stellar playing by senior an old era into a new one.” (Arutz Sheva) O Religions said that while his Ministry was Mr. Lubinsky also revealed that a new setter Shimmy Feintuch and senior not responsible for security, it was bill imposing stiff penalties against per- Captain Josh Friedman were instrumen- Knesset Interior Committee nonetheless extremely concerned. He petrators of crimes in cemeteries was cur- tal in obtaining the win. Expresses Impatience With added that if the police do not take the rently in the works. He said that MK Yoel HAFTR would not take this sitting Progress On Har Hazeitim matter seriously, the security situation Hasson of Kadima was the architect of down. After regrouping from the first The Knesset’s Interior Committee met would never improve. the bill that would give the police new game, with clear determination and recently to discuss the ongoing security Jeff Daube, the director of the Israel authority to make arrests, mandate tough issues on Har Hazeitim. MK David Office of the Zionist Organization of penalties and sentences, and even hold Continued on Page 50

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 24, 2011 49 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS a particularly significant and meaningful Continued from Page 49 win for this team. Our third showing in the volleyball championship, after two teamwork, the second game went to the years coming up short, we’re finally bring- Spartans, 25-17. ing home the gold. This win, coupled The match went to the third and decid- with our softball victory last week, is a ing game. tremendous testament to the athleticism,

(L-R): Mr. Pinny Ackerman, Mrs. and Mr. Katz, and Rav Pinchus Weinberger

its extremely devoted rav. the evening’s honorees with their awards. The evening’s theme, “A Year of Two of the shul’s founding members Hakaras Hatov,” focused on the many were chosen to be singled out for their people that were instrumental in the devotion to the community and for their establishment of the shul and helping in constant desire to do whatever they can MAY Eagles varsity volleyball champions. its transition as the shul moved from one to benefit the shul and the community. location to another. Mr. and Mrs. Baruch White, and Rabbi Mr. Pinny Ackerman, the shul’s inde- and Mrs. Reuven Levine were then pre- The game was tight, literally being talent, and dedication of our talmidim. All fatigable president, opened the evening sented with a beautiful gift expressing played point for point till 9-9. Then the this, without even a home gym to prac- thanking the Katz and Rubenstein fami- the shul’s appreciation and they were Eagles pulled away. With calculated, tight tice in! It’s truly incredible!” O lies for their extraordinary generosity in each asked to say a few words. sets by sophomore Aaron Polatoff and giving the shul use of their own personal The rav, Rabbi Pinchus Weinberger, strong, crisp slams by senior Captain Eli Bais Tefila First Annual Dinner office for Shabbos davening and many then got up to speak and began with a Rudansky and junior Moshe Taubenfeld, This past Sunday evening, the com- weekly shiurim. They were each present- surprise presentation as a token of the Eagles went on a 16-7 run, and never munity of Inwood celebrated yet anoth- ed with a plaque expressing the shul’s hakaras hatov to Mr. Ackerman as presi- looked back. Ateres Yaakov took the er first. Bais Tefila of Inwood, the shul appreciation. While the shul has out- dent, Mr. Leon Lanstman as treasurer, game, the match and the championship, led by Rav Pinchus Weinberger, held grown both locations and is currently and Mr. Simcha Stoll, gabbai, describing with a 25-16 victory in the last game. their first annual dinner. Numbering at looking for their own piece of land, they them as the three pillars on which the Ateres Yaakov athletic director, Rabbi over 30 families who have moved in feel very much indebted to these two shul stands. Following the rav’s remarks, Yossi Bennett, commented, “I am over the last two years, it is a communi- families for their kindness. which included mention of all the mem- extremely proud of our talmidim. This is ty that is being built around the shul and Mr. Ackerman then went on to present bers’ contributions as well as the mem-

50 June 24, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES bers’ parents, many of whom were in the Western Wall. That was moving, but attendance, the rav expressed his tefilah what touched me the most was watch- to Hakadosh Baruch Hu to continue to ing this group get on the bus. A special bestow his berachah on the growing bus had been arranged that could load community and that it should be zocheh wheelchairs through a special elevator. to continue to grow into a true makom of Once on the bus the wheelchairs were Torah and tefilah. anchored down by clasps. To watch the With well over 150 guests in atten- staff work with the participants to load dance, enjoying not only the elegant the bus in a joyous efficient manner ambiance and delicious cuisine, but the was breathtaking. This has been going warm atmosphere which is an outgrowth on for the last five days and will contin- of the trademark Inwood achdus, one can ue for the next five days. Loading and only hope that the community continues unloading the bus. What would seem to to grow meichayil el chayil. us to be tedious and annoying work is a For more information about Bais Tefila labor of love for these special volun- of Inwood and the Inwood community, teers. I cannot tell you how many times visit inwoodshul.com. O I was thanked by the group for the OU’s role in this special mission. Pride And Reflections On Yachad I’ve had a lot of proud moments work- Birthright Visit To The Western Wall ing for the OU in the last 20 years but

Yachad participants enjoying a meaningful visit to Eretz Yisrael.

By Rabbi Steven Burg, OU Managing none prouder than this. O Director I’ve seen a lot of inspirational sights in my life but most of them would pale in Stop & Shop A+ School Rewards comparison to witnessing Yachad Mr. Mike Krolak, manager of the local Birthright visit the Kotel. It is clear that West Hempstead Super Stop & Shop, pre- there is no other organization in the sented the Hebrew Academy of Nassau

(L–R): Mike Krolak presents a rewards check to HANC’s Rabbi Yasgur and Mrs. Deutsch. world that could give these young men County with a check for more than $900, and women with disabilities this experi- earned through the Stop & Shop A+ ence. From the coordination of Rabbi School Rewards program. HANC earned Dave Felsenthal in America, and the the most money of any school in West efforts of Menachem Persoff in Israel, to Hempstead! the dedicated Yachad staff led by the The Stop & Shop A+ School Rewards is energetic Jillian Schutkin, it is an awe- designed to help community schools inspiring site. Most folks would focus on the visit to Continued on Page 52 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 24, 2011 51 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS Continued from Page 51 earn extra money which can be used for anything the school needs, including sup- plies, programs, or equipment. After registering their Stop & Shop card, shoppers accrue points for their school with each purchase they make using their card. At the end of each month, the A+ School Rewards points are calculated and translated into a cash value which is credited to the school’s account. At the end of the program, which ran from October 8, 2010–March 24, 2011, each school was presented with a check with their award earnings. Thanks to all HANC parents, teachers, grandparents, and supporters for registering their cards and shopping to support HANC. O

HANC 4th Graders Celebrate Their Family Histories

The Yiddish Theater moves to HANC!

Fourth grade students at the Hebrew Academy of Nassau County Samuel & Elizabeth Bass Golding Elementary School, in West Hempstead, spent the year studying New York immigration, with a focus on Jewish immigration. In addition to studying immigration history, the students read books about children who emigrated to New York, created an “Old World” recipe book, designed family trees, interviewed a family member who emigrated to the U.S., studied Yiddish with Mrs. Deutsch, and took a trip to the Lower East Side. The year-long program culminated with a dinner theater in which students (and teachers) dressed in full Old World costume, shared their family photos, ate traditional New York foods (pretzels and knishes, of course!), and put on traditional Yiddish theater skits, some in Yiddish. The dinner theater offered students

Continued on Page 54

52 June 24, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 24, 2011 53 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS Continued from Page 52 and their families a wonderful opportunity to share and celebrate their family histories. O

DRS Honors The Davis Renov Stahler Yeshiva High School for Boys would like to congratu- late valedictorian Benjamin Kantowitz, salutatorian Shalom Willner, and keter shem tov awardee Judah Max Abittan. Throughout his four years at DRS, Benjamin Kantowitz has demonstrated excellence in all phases of the Judaic studies and secular curricula. An intellectually gifted, energetic, and highly respected student, Benjamin is captain of the mock trial and DRS valedictorian Benjamin Kantowitz DRS salutatorian Shalom Willner Keter Shem Tov awardee debate teams, as well as captain of College Judah Max Abittan Bowl, Model UN, and Model Congress. He has received multiple individual honors and Science Research Program and the Gruss will attend Yeshiva University as a Honor. He has been awarded a distin- led the team to numerous group awards. Foundation Mitchell Excellence 2000 Distinguished Scholar. guished scholarship to Yeshiva University Benjamin is captain of the Nassau County Program, Shalom has won numerous sci- Judah Max Abittan has been voted keter and will study at Yeshivat Sha’alvim in Interscholastic Mathematics League, a ence awards at the New York State Science shem tov by his fellow students. This peer- Israel during the next academic year. O member of the National Honor Society, and and Engineering Fair and at New York’s elected honor recognizes outstanding an AP Scholar with Honor. Benjamin was Science and Mathematics Exposition. character and service to school and com- Gan Chamesh Graduation awarded a trip to Israel following his out- Shalom has interned at the North Shore/LIJ munity. Judah Max is deserving of the Chabad’s Gan Chamesh preschool chil- standing performance at the Jerusalem Feinstein Institute conducting advanced keter shem tov award for his outstanding dren and their families enjoyed a fantastic Science Contest finals in Chicago. He has stem cell research. He is a member of the character, dignity, and positive attitude graduation parade on Thursday, June 16. been a mentor in the I-Shine program and a National Honor Society, a captain of the toward others. He is admired by all who Each child participated in the great mitzvah volunteer with Kulanu, where he worked Science Olympiad team and a member of know him and respected by the adminis- of partaking in the writing of a sefer Torah. with disabled children. Next year, he will be the Nassau County Interscholastic tration and his peers alike. In addition to The children’s Torah scroll was born at a far- studying at Yeshivat Hakotel in Israel. Mathematics League. Shalom has volun- his sterling character, Judah Max is an out- brengen, a chassidic gathering, held on the Benjamin was also valedictorian of the teered as a big brother with Chabad’s standing scholar in both Judaic and secu- Hebrew date of the 11th of Nissan, 5741 (April lower school, Hebrew Academy of Long Friendship Circle and participated in lar subjects. He has been a participant in 15, 1981)—the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Beach, four years ago. Yachad’s Yad B’Yad Israel Experience assist- Torah Bowl, an editor of the weekly Torah Menachem Mendel Schneerson’s, z’tl’s 79th An outstanding student in Judaic and ing adults and teenagers with special needs. publication, and a member of the math birthday. The Rebbe called for the writing secular studies, Shalom Willner has been a He is a recipient of the Sommer Memorial team and the Science Olympiad Team. of a special Torah scroll for all Jewish boys rising science talent throughout his high Torah U’mada Scholarship. He will study at Judah Max is a member of the National and girls under bar/bas mitzvah age. This school years. A participant in the DRS Yeshivat Hakotel next year after which he Honor Society and an AP Scholar with project gives each child the opportunity to

54 June 24, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Gan Chamesh children gather around the Torah, held by Rabbi Wolowik purchase a letter in a sefer Torah, written on from the Torah. This was done to empha- real parchment, with real ink. size the point that the children’s Torah is Jewish children are not all congregated being written in honor of the children. in one place, but are scattered all over the Adults and children alike were in awe of globe. And other differences exist too, the giant Torah and the graduation will be a such as varying levels in religious educa- wonderful memory for years to come. This tion and differences between the more was truly a meaningful way to end off a year gifted and the less gifted. With the Torah of learning at Gan Chamesh where each stu- project, all Jewish children are united dent flourished under the directorship of while sharing an identical goal, which is to Susy Adler and Suzanne Wallin and the guid- light up their surroundings with Judaism. ance of the amazing and dedicated teachers. With Maple Avenue closed to traffic, Thank you to Azamra DJ for the great each class celebrated with joyous dancing. musical accompaniment and to the They waved their “letter” banners while Village of Cedarhurst local police depart- marching with and around the “mock” ment and auxiliary police for ensuring the Torah. The incredible and talented success of this grand graduation parade. bachurim of 770 refurbished a giant sefer Wishing all students a big mazal tov and Torah that originally was used on a float at parents, grandparents, and extended fam- the Great Parade on Lag B’omer in Crown ily much continued nachas. O Heights. The scroll was unique in that the children’s names were used, not the words Continued on Page 57

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 24, 2011 55 56 June 24, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES

AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS Continued from Page 55 COPE Offers Students Insight Into Real-World Accounting Students of the COPE Junior Accounting program, a division of Agudath Israel, were treated to a lunch and learn seminar featuring Mr. Abe Roth, managing partner of Roth & Co, a highly experienced CPA who offered real world insights that will help graduates be better prepared to find suitable jobs in a competitive economy. His thorough understanding both of the culture COPE students are coming from and the challenges they may face as they enter the professional world made for a thought- provoking presentation.

Abraham Roth, CPA

After opening with a brief description of the differences between the challenges observant young men faced years ago and the environment they face today, Mr. Roth offered valuable suggestions for the students as they began looking for those all-important first jobs. He advised them to consider both long term and short term goals when looking for a suitable position, and before accepting it, to consider whether or not it would offer opportunities for professional growth. While salary is a valid factor, growth and learning opportunities pay great divi- dends in the long term, and experience can help further one’s career. Mr. Roth also discussed the differences between what a junior accountant and a CPA do and the value of continuing one’s education to become a CPA. He talked about what employers look for in an interview, the vital need for networking in order to find a position, and job opportunities for junior accountants and CPAs in today’s market. Attitude, Mr.Roth emphasized, is key; it is essential for the job candidate to project a positive attitude to prospective employers. He also stressed the importance of the legal obligations the graduates would have as accountants as well as the crucial need for confidentiality, honesty, and integrity. Mr. Roth’s relaxed manner, interspersed with a touch of humor, and the pleasant ambience provided by the tasty lunch made this interactive and stimulating seminar a most worthwhile experience for COPE’s students. COPE’s junior accounting program includes the basics of accounting, QuickBooks, and Excel, as well as Microsoft Office as it relates to accounting. In the 3.5 month program, students earn 21 college credits from ACE, the American College on Education, and

Continued on Page 58 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 24, 2011 57 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS past four years. Rabbi Mordechai and addresses from Rabbi Continued from Page 57 Yaffe, menahel, explained, “It is a Mordechai Yaffe and the general day of mixed emotions. We are studies principal, Rabbi Sam Thomas Edison State College. so sorry to see them leave, but Rudansky. The limudei kodesh About 85% of its graduates are are filled with pride seeing how and general studies valedictori- placed in bookkeeping and much growth there has been. an, Shlomo Feit, urged his class- accounting related jobs. O They entered the mesivta as mates to continue to work hard young boys and are leaving as and commit themselves to excel- MAY Graduation accomplished bnei Torah. We lence. Mesivta Ateres Yaakov, the anticipate that they, like those Advisors and senior rebbeim, Ruth & Hyman Simon High that graduated before them, will Rabbi Yossi Bennett and Rabbi School, celebrated its 21st com- continue to stay an active part of Elysha Sandler, have worked mencement exercises this past the MAY family.” many hours to guide the gradu- week. With over 400 guests in The program included open- ates to the most appropriate attendance, the program was a ing remarks from the school’s co- MAY limudei kodesh and general studies valedictorian Shlomo Feit post-high school yeshiva where meaningful reflection of the president, Mr. Robbie Schonfeld, with alum Yehuda Feit. each talmid can best continue the growth and development he began in the mesivta. It was noted that MAY graduates are in demand at the finest yeshivas here and in Eretz Yisrael and all have committed to learn in beis medrash for at least one year, if not more, before starting their college studies. This year’s graduation was the first held in the mesivta’s new building in the heart of Lawrence/Cedarhurst. Mr. Robbie Schonfeld said, “Graduation is always a very special day. To hold it on our own campus made it that much more special.” O

Missing Person: Micha Hausman Some details from last week’s alert were inaccurate. Micha Hausman did not learn in the Yeshiva Gedolah of the Five

58 June 24, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Towns, but the rebbeim are familiar with who he is. The yeshiva, together with the other organizations in the community, is working to bring him to a safe place. Micha is still missing. He was last seen in Manhattan, in Penn Station last Thursday morning, and in Battery Park on Monday night. If spotted, please keep him in sight. If you have any additional information, please call 516-791-4444, and follow the emergency instructions. O

Lawrence Election Winners Incumbents Michael Fragin and Joel Mael were returned to office for another term after Tuesday’s election for trustee in the incorporated Village of Lawrence. The two ran unopposed; however, an eleventh hour write-in campaign was mounted when it became apparent that the voter turnout was the poorest in the history of elections in the village. As the polls closed at 9:00 p.m. Tuesday night, it became clear that the insurgent campaign would fail as people who were called and asked to come out to vote failed to do so. At the conclusion of the day, Mr. Fragin drew 85 votes and Mr. Mael, 82 votes. Lawrence resident David Seidemann drew 22 votes and David Englander, 18 votes. The remaining trustees are Simon Felder and Ed Klahr, the mayor of Lawrence is Martin Oliner. O

Machon Basya Rochel Graduation Dinner On Wednesday night, June 15, the first graduating class of Machon Basya Rochel Seminary in Far Rockaway gathered at Traditions to celebrate a successful year of Torah learning and growth. The program began with Rebbetzin Aviva Feiner, menaheles of the seminary, welcoming the students and imparting words of divrei Torah. The girls enjoyed a delightful fleishig dinner while reminiscing about their past year and discussing plans for the upcoming year. Students and teachers reflected upon “what MBR means to me.” A sense of unity and connection permeated the atmosphere as each student and teacher expressed her initial reaction to teaching or learning in a seminary in Far Rockaway, how Machon Basya Rochel impacted her life and shaped her as an individual. Following the main course, MBR students’ mothers were invited for dessert and to spend the rest of the evening rev- eling in their daughters’ accomplishments. Rebbetzin Feiner and Mrs. Debra Green, mechaneches of the seminary, addressed the young ladies with words of chizuk and blessings for future success. They emphasized that the year spent in a full program of learning would lay the foundation for their development as Jewish women, leaders of Klal Yisrael. Several of the students, speaking on behalf of the remaining group, conveyed their gratitude to the teachers for a fulfilling and meaningful year. One student spoke about the advantages of being a first-year class of a new seminary and the individualized attention she received on a daily basis. Several shanah bet students articulated their satisfaction for the opportunity to continue Torah learning and their appreciation for the seminary

Continued on Page 60 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 24, 2011 59

AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS nity. Additionally, it was wonderful to see Continued from Page 59 several hundred people spend their Lag B’Omer in support of building Torah in facilitating their transition from Eretz our neighborhood. If you happened to Yisrael to New York. drive by the future home of the yeshivah Rebbetzin Feiner and Mrs. Green pre- on Mosher Avenue, you surely have sented each student with a gift and a cer- noticed that all the buildings are now tificate highlighting each girl’s strengths. gone, and the building project has begun The program drew to a close with a in earnest. viewing of a video, prepared by one of However, we cannot forget amidst all the students, which captured in several of this the excitement that the yeshivah minutes the main events and still needs our support to continue Shabbatonim of the year. O spreading Torah in the community. The community is clearly aware of this, as the YG5T 89th Annual Woodmere large attendance at the annual Breakfast Woodmere breakfast can attest to. The Our community is still abuzz about the large turnout can also be attributed to recent groundbreaking for the yeshivah. two outstanding members of our com-

Rav Yitzchok Knobel, Dr. Ari Weinreb (Amud HaTorah Awardee), Rav Moshe Weinberger, and Rav Moshe Zev Katzenstein

It was inspirational to have gedolim of munity: Dr. Randy Makovsky, who our generation participate in this important event and give chizuk to our commu- Continued on Page 62

60 June 24, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 24, 2011 61 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS Continued from Page 60 received the kesser Torah award, and Dr. Ari Weinreb, who received the amud haTorah award. Although both have been living in Woodmere for a relatively short time, they have made a significant impact on the community. And in spite of their busy schedules and successful medical practices, they can be found attending shiurim at the yeshivah, and spending time learning there. The yeshivah also presented a tribute journal in memory of Mr. Joseph Rotenberg, a”h, who was a longtime friend of the yeshivah until his recent passing. Members of Mr. Rotenberg’s family were in attendance to honor his legacy. Colonel Geva Rapp We all anticipate more exciting news from the yeshivah, as it continues to build a community Torah center in the Friday, June 24 7:00 p.m. Lawrence, NY: center of our community. O Geva will speak at Bais Medrash of Harborview, 214 Harborview South. Panim El Panim Leader IDF Colonel Saturday, June 25 8:00 p.m. Lawrence, (Res) Geva Rapp Visiting NY Area, NY: Geva will speak at Congregation June 23–28 Shaaray Tefila, 25 Central Avenue. Colonel Geva Rapp, leader of the Saturday, June 25 10:30 p.m. Lawrence, Israeli kiruv organization Panim el Panim, NY: Melaveh malkah at the home of Suzi will visit the New York metropolitan area and Dov Klein, 239 Broadway. Geva will Thursday, June 23 through Tuesday, June meet privately with donors and commu- 28. Colonel Rapp will meet with rabbis, nity leaders. community leaders, and donors in New Parties interested in learning more York and New Jersey, and will speak in about Panim el Panim or seeking to meet several synagogues. His schedule is as fol- with Colonel Rapp should contact Dov lows: Goldman of American Friends of Panim Thursday, June 23, 8:00 p.m. el Panim, 917-575-2525, dgoldman@ Englewood, NJ: Donor meeting by invita- afpelp.org. tion only. Panim el Panim is a new movement Friday, June 24, 9:30 a.m. Deal, NJ: Donor meeting by invitation only. Continued on Page 64

62 June 24, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 24, 2011 63 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS cian in pediatric oncology at the Cohen Continued from Page 62 Children’s Medical Center of New York and assistant medical director at Camp working to raise and deepen the national Simcha, where she met Chaya. During the spirit of Israel. By applying Jewish values course of their time spent together in to the daily lives of Israeli citizens, Panim camp, Chaya and Dr. Levy formed a spe- el Panim nurtures self-knowledge and cial bond which continued to grow as pride in the Jewish character of the State time went on. To highlight that relation- of Israel. ship, at one point Chaya was faced with a The founders and builders of the State medical dilemma and she approached Dr. were not religious, but were passionate Levy for advice. Upon hearing the issue, about their Jewish identity. Today’s gener- Dr. Levy recommended that Chaya ask ation has inherited the heroism of their her rav for advice. Chaya responded that pioneer grandparents, and on this foun- the Lubavitcher Rebbe once said that in dation has discovered a profound thirst such situations “k’eitsas ropheh yedid”— for Jewish values and heritage. one should seek the advice from a doctor Founded in 2005 and staffed by who is a friend. Always trying to be the dynamic IDF officers and Zionistic rab- first to read the newest and greatest was bis, Panim el Panim educates Israelis their rivalry but recognizing that they about their heritage and connection to wanted to share their passion with others the land. In the army, high schools and on was their mission. With Chaya’s passing, kibbutzim, PelP teaches young and old Dr. Levy wanted to share their love of about the basic values of Judaism and reading with others and decided to start a Zionism. Through weekly classes and book gemach in Chaya’s memory. Shabbat programs sanctioned by the Unfortunately, with Dr. Levy’s busy Defense Ministry, IDF Chief Rabbinate schedule, things did not go exactly as and the Ministry of Education, Panim el planned. With so many books looking for Panim brings the vital Jewish heritage to more readers, Dr. Levy’s son Yoni suggest- tens of thousands of Israeli soldiers, stu- ed that the books be donated to the Levi dents and kibbutz members. O Yitzchak Library, the perfect place to perpetuate Chaya’s memory and passion for Chaya’s Corner reading. Over 250 books were donated to By Lisa Hawk the library in Chaya’s memory from this A special dedication took place at the special gemach and many more were Levi Yitzchak Family Center on Monday given on the evening of the yahrtzeit. night to commemorate the second The first speaker for the evening was yahrtzeit of Chaya Mushka Gottlieb, a’h. Mrs. Sara Rivka Sasonkin, a shluchah in Over 100 women came out to remember 16 years old. Sadly, two years ago, at age Hashem places such difficult challenges Ta’anach, Israel. In her opening remarks, a dear daughter, sister, cousin, and friend. 24, Chaya succumbed to an eight-year bat- before us to deal with. Mrs. Sasonkin shared that she must A vibrant, well-liked girl who loved read- tle against her illness and left this world The evening was emceed by Dr. change the title of what she will share ing, Chaya was diagnosed with cancer at leaving all who love her to wonder why Carolyn Fein Levy, an attending physi- from “Overcoming Life’s Challenges” to

64 June 24, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES “Coping with Life’s Challenges.” It is diffi- Vin and The Pickle Guys provided the cult to move past such tragedy. Our emo- drinks and sides respectively. At the end tions overcome us and we often feel of an exciting competition, and some angry and wonder why Hashem has major stomach aches, Mr. Broadway was placed such difficult challenges before us. crowned Cholent King of New York City. However, we then realize that Hashem In less than a week, JEP will be open- put us where we are because He wants us ing the doors to its famous Camp Nageela where we are and we have to figure out for the beginning of its 24th season. This strategies to help us cope. July, over 100 girls will experience the One effective way of coping with a warmth and joy of being a Torah Jew. tragedy is by carrying on with the mis- Many of them will bake challah, say sion of one who passed. Mrs. Yehudis Tehillim, and learn to light Shabbos can- Cohen, editor of the L’ chaim Weekly and dles for the very first time. What an amaz- assistant principal of Machon Chana, so ing zechus it is for our kehillah to be an movingly shared the words of the integral part of this beauty! And all for Lubavitcher Rebbe, “B’hemsheich tasting a bowl of cholent! O habinyan tancheimu”—through continuing the building, you will be comforted. Assembly Passes Weisenberg Bill B’hemsheich, in continuing and constant- Granting Property Tax Exemption ly doing and building, is why we were put (L–R): Meir Krengel, Shmulie Schechter, and Shea Farkas at the Cholent Bowl. To Local Yeshiva on this earth. When there is darkness The Assembly passed a bill sponsored from destruction, we will light up the by Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg world around us by building. For Chaya, the past several years JEP’s Cholent Bowl ple come together to celebrate their her- (D–Long Beach) that would grant a books were her building blocks. They put has become an increasingly anticipated itage through cholent.” The competing retroactive property tax exemption to a smile on her face and then she was able affair in our community. The event even cholent vendors, representing different Yeshiva of South Shore, a nonprofit locat- to share that smile by sharing her books. caught the attention of a national news frum neighborhoods in NYC, were Hadar ed in Hewlett (A.7904-B). Books have a soul which can illuminate outlet, whose reporter commented, “I Geulah, Kold Kuts, Mr. Broadway, Aron’s and touch the soul of every one of us. think it is wonderful how so many peo- Kissena Farm, and Gottliebs. Chateau de Continued on Page 66 Mrs. Cohen ended with the belief that by continuing to build the Levi Yitzchak Library and Chaya’s Corner, we will be comforted. The evening concluded with a very moving dedication of “Chaya’s Corner” within the young adult section of the Levy Yitzchak Library by Mrs. Chanie Wolowik, shluchah in the Five Towns and director of the Levi Yitzchak Library. The library/family center is named for Mrs. Wolowik’s son, Levi Yitzchak, who inex- plicably passed away a little over two years ago one Shabbos morning. Touching on the ideas of the speakers before, Chanie explained how she believed that she needed to do something in Levi’s memory to cope with his passing and perpetuate his memory. Given that Levi loved reading and writing, she felt that building a Jewish lending library would give her family the building blocks to help cope with their tragedy. When Dr. Levy approached Mrs. Wolowik about creating “Chaya’s Corner,” with the books that she hoped would illuminate the lives of others, Chanie agreed without hesitation. She felt that including the books of an adult who was passionate about reading gave her a sense of completion for a library whose first building blocks were for the memory of her young child. Through the tragedy of two very special neshamos coming together, our lives have been enriched by the Wolowik and Gottlieb families. Their memories should bring forth more for our lives and community and the library should continue to grow as a cornerstone for the community. To make a donation or to visit the Levi Yitzchak Family Center, please call 516- 374-2665 or visit lylibrary.org. O

Cholent King Crowned Last Thursday night, the Five Towns was witness to yet another incredible Kiddush Hashem as over 100 people gathered at the home of Dr. Ari and Suri Weinreb to show their support and devotion to JEP-LI at the Third Annual Cholent Bowl competition. In classic JEP/Nageela style, a fundraising event became a “fun- raising” event as the guests were treated to a gala cholent buffet taste test, pickle bar, and a wine tasting extravaganza. Over 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 24, 2011 65 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS the scholarship fund to edu- H appy Feet Annual Pirchei Agudath Israel Of Continued from Page 65 cate low income students in Dance Recital America Honors our community,” said Rabbi This past Sunday, Happy Completion Of Shishah “Yeshiva of South Shore is Dovid Kramer, the yeshiva’s Feet Studio for the Performing Sidrei Mishnah truly a cornerstone of the Five executive director. Arts held its annual dance Over 200 people watched Towns, and it has done great This measure goes hand-in- recital to a full house at the and shepped nachas this past work educating children and hand with another Weisenberg- HAFTR high school auditorium. Sunday, June 19, at Agudas preparing them for the next steps authored bill that would grant a This event highlighted some of Yisroel of Madison, in Flatbush after high school,” Weisenberg retroactive property tax exemp- said. “Yeshiva of South Shore has tion to Madraigos Inc., an insti- been a force for good in our com- tution that works with at-risk munity for many years, and this young adults from the South exemption will ensure that it Shore (A.7069-D). O continues its positive impact for years to come. An Evening Of Comedy Yeshiva of South Shore is an With Elon Gold At The institution that teaches both Hampton Synagogue, July 3 Jewish and general studies, and In celebration of serves not just to educate chil- Independence Day Weekend, dren but to foster spiritual, aca- award-winning comedian Elon demic, and emotional growth. It Gold will perform his nationally Elon Gold educates children from pre- acclaimed stand-up comedy at school to college and offers serv- The Hampton Synagogue on ices such as guidance counsel- Sunday, July 3, 7:30 p.m. Mentalist, and Las Vegas. Elon ing, family counseling, and Admission is complimentary, was a writer/performer on ABC’s assistance with career planning. and the show will be followed The Dana Carvey Show and did In addition, the organization by a dessert reception. RSVP by sketches on Chappelle’s Show. participates in a host of charity calling 631-288-0534, ext.10. He can also be seen on Chelsea initiatives. Elon Gold, a comedian and Lately and currently has a recur- Buzzing around at the Happy Feet recital. “Yeshiva of South Shore actor, is a regular correspondent ring role on the FOX hit show, applauds the efforts of Senator for The Tonight Show With Jay Bones. His most important role Dean Skelos and Assemblyman Leno . He has starred in sitcoms is as host of The Chabad Happy Feet’s fall and spring as 45 boys were honored for Harvey Weisenberg to assist us such as FOX’s Stacked and NBC’s Telethon which broadcasts every dance classes and featured having completed the study of with this legislation which will In-Laws and made guest star year out of Los Angeles where amazing local talent, ranging in the entire shishah sidrei direct these monies towards appearances on Frasier, The he resides. O age from three years to adult. Mishnah in honor of their bar About 200 kids performed bal- mitzvahs. The boys, who let, jazz, hip hop, tap, and break hailed from a variety of com- dancing numbers, as well as a munities from throughout juggling act. The recitals theme New York and New Jersey and was “the animal kingdom” and also from states across the the dancers donned cute ani- country, each received a Shas mal costumes from lions to in recognition of his impres- butterflies, in an array of colors. sive accomplishment. When the kids took their final The boys and their parents bows, the audience broke into and some grandparents were thunderous applause, whistles, warmly welcomed by Rabbi and screams. O Ephraim Levi, national direc-

66 June 24, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Solution To Last Week’s 5TJT Puzzle: Toys

Pirchei Agudath Israel mishnah siyum. tor of Pirchei Agudas Yisroel of fact that Pirchei boys view limud America, who noted how many boys haTorah as their main concern. This, he today—not only those present—under- said, is a tribute to parents who have take to learn shishah sidrei Mishnah, successfully transmitted the mesorah and how it all began when, many years they received from their own parents. ago, the legendary Rabbi Yehoshua He expressed the hope that the recog- Silbermintz, zt’l, approached one of his nition of these boys’ achievement will Pirchim and offered him a Shas if he inspire others to undertake completion undertook to complete Shas Mishnayos of shishah sidrei Mishnah. In his inim- for his bar mitzvah. itable, engaging style, Rabbi Paysach Divrei chizuk were offered by Rabbi Krohn, a grandparent of two of the Shlomo Feivel Schustal, rosh hayeshiva boys who were honored, mesmerized of Yeshiva Gedolah Torah Temima, who the audience with his wonderful inspi- encouraged the mesayemim to climb rational stories. He urged them to further in Torah. Rabbi Chaim Dovid review what they have learned, stress- Zwiebel, executive vice president of ing that no matter how much one Agudath Israel of America, described learns, he must always review it in the gratification Agudath Israel feels at order to internalize it. O sponsoring the siyum Mishnayos and the award event, and his pride in the Continued on Page 75 Puzzle appeared on page 79 of the June 17 issue.

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 24, 2011 67 makes him an ideal representative for they don’t vote but their reasoning is all the communities of the 23rd assem- often flawed. One person once told me No More Excuses bly district. Goldfeder also has strong they didn’t want to register to vote ties with many local yeshivas, shuls, because they didn’t want to get called and community organizations and has for jury duty, even though they had BY ELI SHAPIRO ty-government relations, if we don’t been instrumental in advancing Jewish already been called to jury duty as a take the steps necessary to ensure our causes on the local and federal levels. result of having a drivers’ license. We It has been a while since I have writ- relevance and influence in the local One political strategist stated, “Anyone all want the best services and benefits ten. While my throngs of fans have political process. else claiming the Democratic nod, that our government has to offer. Like encouraged me, nay, demanded of me, to A vacated seat is filled by a special either just doesn’t understand the it or not, a unified voting bloc is the do so, only recently have I found a cause election. Candidates for special election process or maintains a high degree of most powerful tool in maximizing worthy of the time it takes to put togeth- are selected by party leadership to run wishful thinking.” those opportunities. When a communi- er such fantastic and literary genius that on their party line. In this case, it Residents should be aware that in a ty votes as one voice in large numbers, is to follow. appears that the Republican Party will special election there are no primaries; it gets the attention of our leaders in As an avid follower of my articles, select Jane Deacy of the gated Breezy voters have one shot at getting it right. government. The only way to vote is to you are probably wondering why I Point community. The Democratic So, the importance of voting and being be registered to vote. Registering and would write an “it’s important to vote” voting are not difficult or time-con- article in June. These articles are gener- suming tasks. ally relegated to early September, just in The remarkable growth of the greater time for primary elections. As we all To ensure that we continue to be Far Rockaway Jewish community in know, this is no ordinary June. Like the recent years presents us with an exciting snow of this past winter and the rains of represented by the right person for our opportunity to be one of the most cohe- the spring, the importance and impact sive voting blocs in the state. Whether it of an anticipated special election will is the continued opportunity to support a also be significant. As reported in this community’s needs, your registration wonderful elected official like Audrey very paper, a special election in the 23rd Pheffer, or to ensure that we continue to assembly district will be called to fill the and your vote are critical. be represented by the right person for our Assembly seat vacated by Audrey community’s needs, your registration and Pheffer. For those of you who have been your vote are critical. distracted by news related to our neigh- You are urged to take the few minutes boring congressional district, we are in Party candidate will be selected by registered to vote is, well, significant. it takes to register to vote as the deadline the midst of a communal transition that Democratic district leaders. Political While in the nominations process polit- for registering for the anticipated special will affect us for many years to come. insiders have stated that district leaders ical party plays an important role, they election is only weeks away. It will be Assemblywoman Audrey Pheffer, a per- JoAnne Shapiro and Frank Galluscio play little role in a special election. unfortunate when those who want to son whose presence and support for our have pledged their support to lifelong Members of any party can vote for either support a local candidate on Election Day community has been significant over Far Rockaway resident Phillip candidate. The most important factor is are unable to do so because they aren’t the years, has accepted the position of Goldfeder whose experience as director that the community as a whole goes to registered. The time is now. No more Queens County clerk and will no longer of intergovernmental affairs for U.S. the polls and demonstrates its collective excuses. be representing us in the Assembly. Her Senator Charles Schumer and director electoral strength. Voter registration forms can be printed departure from this position could be of the Queens community assistance People have all sorts of excuses why from the Far Rockaway Jewish Alliance’s the end of a wonderful era of communi- unit for Mayor Michael Bloomberg they are not registered to vote, or why website, frja.org. O

68 June 24, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 24, 2011 69 SERVICES SERVICES PROVIDED PROVIDED

Beautiful business-size cards with Menadvim — Furniture and Appliances. Kiruv websites, are available for free Like new to Donate and Receive. (to give to not-yet-Frum people). Call 718-MEN-ADVIm (718-636-2384) Please text or call 718-501-2110 We deliver.

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Simchas Naava HELP WANTED Share your simcha flowers! Be m’sameach other simchas! Donate your fresh flower arrangements! We will match your simcha date with 5 Towns Area Boys’ Yeshiva seeking simchas following yours or deliver them middle school General Studies teacher to nursing home residents. for ‘11-’12 school year. M-Th from 2:00- To donate or obtain flower 4:30. Please send your resume to arrangements call 516-239-6066 [email protected] In memory of a special friend, Naava Wassner Katlowitz Teacher for Preschool in Queens. Small beginners Siddurim, and Shabbos Certification preferred. Full Benefits. E-mail resume to [email protected] guidebooks, both in Russian, are avail-

able for you to distribute. Dayhab Trainers — Full time positions Please call Tashbar Publications at available in Brooklyn and Long Island 718-438-9025 (leave message with address, (5 Towns) for caring individuals to IY"H we will mail them to you for free.) involve adults with developmental disabilities in skill development while Help Kosiner Bikur Cholim maintain encouraging them to become more inde- their apartments near Manhattan hospi- pendent. Responsibilities include super- vising and joining in activities to foster tals. Sponsor a Shabbos as a z’chus. independent living as well as escorting Donations accepted. Tax deductible. consumers to community sites. Valid 347-924-4205 driver’s license and ability to drive 15- passenger van required. Ohel Bais Ezra New Table and Chair Gemach for short- Phone: 718-686-3102, fax 718-851-6428, term simchas. 740 Mador Ct., e-mail: [email protected] Far Rockaway. Call 718-471-0368 G'Mach Chasdei Yisroel — Lending Your Real Estate, money to people in Klei Kodesh & for Klei Kodesh purposes. In the Far Service, or Rockaway-Five Towns area. Please call 917-822-9910 for more info. Or email Help Wanted Ad [email protected]. In Memory of R' Yisroel Ben Binyamin, a"h. Here Every

Personal Chavrusa available for learn- Thursday ing and growing understanding the beau- 100,000 readers look ty of our Torah. Experience of many years in delivering shiurim to Baalei forward to what’s happening Batim and all those interested in learn- in the 5 Towns by reading ing. Reasonable hourly rate. This is a The Five Towns Jewish Times. project of Kollel Tiferes Avos. Call 718- 316-3874 or call Rabbi Dov Bressler 718- 327-8903. (Payments are tax deductible.) Deadline is Monday

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New to Market — Sale by Owner. 4BR Five Towns — Woodmere, house, Juniper Circle North Church Avenue Asking ...... $899,000 Completely renovated CH colonial in See www.bit.ly/HouseJuniperCirlce for 2004/05. Hardwood floors throughout. 8BR, details. 5 full baths, custom kosher EIK, stainless steel appliances, FDR, home office, full Inwood — New to market. Charming finished basement, kids’ game room & Victorian on quiet tree-lined street with home gym and so much more. water view. 7BR, great for large family. Asking ...... $1.5M A must see!...... $499K For more information & virtual tour visit 5 Towns Homes Realty 516-569-5710 www.abcwoodmerehouse.com. Call 516-640-8646, or Far Rockaway: Coop, 3Br, 1Bth e-mail [email protected] Physical therapy office looking for 5 Towns Open Houses, 6/26 Lr/Dr, Walk to All ...... $179K Physical therapy assistant (PT/FT) in Ced. — 425 Ced. Ave. (2-3:30) Updt 5BR Call 516-322-3555 Woodmere/Cedarhurst Oppty! Five Towns. If interested please call Col. O/S prop. Sys ...... $719K 12,000 sq. ft. approx. 90’x150’, 516-650-5756 Ced. — 574 Trysting Pl. (11-12) Lvly Cedarhurst — 445 W. Broadway Colonial, 17 rooms, full bsmt. with hi Col. Good liv space. 2BR ...... $359K Charming 3BR col lg property . . . . $418K ceilings, clean 2 car garage plus stor- Preschool teacher assistant position Hew. — 1 Steven Dr. (11:30-1:30) 4BR, Cedarhurst — 336 Westminster Rd. 3BR age, 6 space parking, 2 family, profes- available for Sept. 2011 3.5Bth Col. 5 rm prof’l ste att . . . $629K ranch with main lvl den...... $300’s sional use, accountant, Esq., medical Lawrence — 82 B.2nd St. Charming 3BR Far Rockaway, NY 8:30-3, Friday to Wdsbg. — 180 W. Ivy Hill (12-1:30) and/or educational and religious uses. 12:00 col., private beach rights$449K 11-12 p.m. Cntry Club vic. 6BR Exp Rch. Nu lg Grand colonial with charm and great Phone # 718-471-8444 ext. 218 EIK ...... $1.179M Woodmere, Woodsburgh, N. Woodmere possibilities. Available at once . $875K Wdsbg. — (By appt) Sale/ Rent. Grand by appt Negotiable. Shevach High School, Queens — Seeking 6BR, 3.5Bth C/H Col. Fab prop 776 Arbuckle Ave. — Grand 5BR col. den, Owner 516-322-3555 teachers with Master’s Degree for ...... $1.95M/$8000 basement ...... $769K September 2011: College Math, English, JanKalman.com 516-569-5651 1023 Hazel Pl. — Mint 5BR split, huge Hewlett — Col. MIC, 4br, 2bth, 2fpl, full Public Speaking/Speech, Psychology, kosher EIK ...... $750K Hewlett — 4BR cape, wood floors, EIK, 9 Hazel Pl. — Charming exp. ranch on deck, wood flr, Lg. den. Walk to all. Living Environment. E-mail resume to: updated bath, large finished playroom, beautiful property ...... $469K ...... $729K [email protected] or fax 718-263-3759 block from YoSS, owner sacrifice. $299K 917 Midway — Mint split, granite/wood 5 TOWN HOMES 516-322-3555 Short sale. kosher EIK ...... $559K Call 347-539-1332 410 Eastwood Rd. — For Rent 5BR home, Woodmere — New Construction REAL ESTATE finished basement ...... $3,650 Classic 5BR c/h col. Large property. Howard Beach — Co-op 2BR, 2bth, total- FOR SALE 656 Colfax Pl. — 4BR split, den, finished Walk to YI of Woodmere and Aish. ly renovated. Maintenance includes basement ...... $515K ...... $1M+ gas, electric, heat and parking space. 776 University St. — Mint 4BR bi-lvl Old Woodmere — Open House – Great buy. Asking...... $150K Hewlett — Beautiful 5 BR, 3 bths, split. waterview ...... $545K 3-4p.m. Sun. 12-2PM 5 Towns Homes 516-569-5710 All updated, in SD#14. Separate Far Rockaway Open House Quality New Construction 5BR – basement – huge yard. Too much entrance can be M/D with proper per- Woodmere — MIC, Lovely 4BR, 3bth 1056 Neilson St. — New Construction to mention...... $975K mits. Owner motivated, reduced. split. New kitchen– granite countertops, Apts. For Rent by appt Cedarhurst — Must sell, present all ...... $499K Formal LR/DR, den, many closets, 225 B 11th St. — Renovated 2-family offers! Cedar Bay Park. Open House by 5 Towns Home Realty 516-569-5710 deck, large backyard, prime location. duplex. New kitchen and bths . . . . $600’s appointment. Low taxes. Open House Sun. May 8th, 12-1:30 p.m. Lawrence — Ours Alone!! Totally renovated. 4 BR, new kitchen, 391 Howard Avenue 1pm-3pm. Milky Forst Properties, Inc. 516-239-0306 Brick, C/H COL, Stately brick, w/old huge den and bsmt...... $500’sK Asking...... $639K Woodmere world charm, Hi ceilings, 6Br, 4.5 bths, Hewlett Neck — New construction locat- Call 516-750-3691 Waterfront, 6BR, 5bth, all new renovat- Kosher EIK, Lg. FDR, Library, Fin. ed on spectacular 1/2 acre lot. 6BR, 2- ed. Good for large family . . . $969K neg. story entrance foyer, 9’ ceiling. . .$1M+ Bsmt., Lg Prop., walk all. Center of Far Rockaway — Vacant Co-op. Spacious 2BR, 2bth. Under mar- Land for Sale — aprox 15,000 sq ft on Hewlett Neck — 1/2 acre , buildable lot, 5 TOWN HOMES 516-569-5710 ket value ...... $165K neg. Meehan Avenue. Asking...... $525K for sale...... $750K Prudential. 516-763-6154, Dalia South Shore Estates 516-569-4980 Oceanside — Brand new construction. Call 718-858-9805 Beautiful CH col. Large 4 BR (1 level), Cedarhurst — New construction. First Cedarhurst — First show. LR, FDR, 2.5 bths, granite EIK, FDR, den with fp, new EIK, 4BR, 2 new bths, finished show. Col. 9’ ceilings, 5BR, 2.5bths, full Classified Ads are full bsmt, in cul-de-sac, walk all, best basement, cream puff condition, quiet basement, on quiet tree-lined street. price ...... $675K street, walk all, low taxes . . . . . $500's Call for details...... $799K Continued on the Next Page. 5 Towns Homes Realty 516-569-5710 5 Towns Homes 516-569-5710 5 Towns Homes Realty 516-569-5710 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 24, 2011 71 REAL ESTATE REAL ESTATE COMMERCIAL REAL FOR SALE FOR SALE ESTATE FOR RENT FOR RENT

Cedarhurst — Co-op. 1st Flr, large LR, North Woodmere — Decorator’s Dream. Rockville Centre — 3,500 sq. ft., fully Far Rockaway — Unfurnished. FDR, EIK with new appliances, 2BR, Beautiful bi-level, large granite kosher wired for Web, partitioned, will divide. Adorable 1BR, EIK, full bth, access to backyard, near shul, school, and beach, 2bths, hw floors, Terrace. Views of EIK, FDR, large LR, den, 4BR, water- Call 516-322-3555 Gdns, W/D, Lo maint, Grt. loca’n, Walk view, all systems, walk all shuls. Owner new appliances, very reasonable rate. Call owner 718-868-0068 all. Asking...... $319K motivated. Present all offers. Cedarhurst — Office rental: Executive 2 5 Town Homes 516-569-5710 5 Towns Homes Realty 516-569-5710 Bths, Fully Web wired, 1,250 sq. ft., Far Rockaway — Large, bright 3BR, CAC. 5TGR 516-322-3555 1.5bths apt in 2-family house. Great location off Reads Lane. Includes heat New store for rent on Spruce! 1000 sq ft- and parking. completely rehabbed, new shelves, cor- 5 Towns Homes Realty 516-569-5710 ner space, across from Club Central, municipal parking. Low Rent! Far Rockaway — Lg. Hse Rental: 4br, Call Weissman Realty 516-791-6100 2bth, bsmt., hi-ceilings, NU bths, W\D. Lawrence — Burnside Ave. & Lincoln Call 516-322-3555 Place. Corner store 1,000 sq. ft., central a/c, with commercial space 2,000 sq. ft. Hewlett — House for rent. Updated Can be together or separate. 3BR, 2bths, new EIK, SD#14, walk all. 917-538-3003 Available immediately ...... $2,600

South Shore — Only glatt kosher takeout Call 5 Towns Homes 516-569-5710 and butcher shop in town. For sale. 15 Far Rockaway — Hartman Lane — years in business. No competition. Best Large 2-3BR, 2bths, EIK, walk to shuls. location. Low rent. Excellent income. Use as 2BR $1300, use as 3BR Great opportunity. Easy to run. 347-517-8818 ...... $1500 neg. Call Blue Key RE 516-812-9575 Cedarhurst office for rent— 2 small offices on Central Ave. 1 flight up, C/H, Fountainbleu Hotel — Miami Beach — C/A. Call owner 917-417-5725 Magnificent 850 sq. ft. studio, sleeps 4-6. Daily/weekly. Available Shavuos, Summer specials available! FOR RENT 347-804-4666

Far Rockaway — Brand new 4BR, 3bth, Lawrence — Coop Rental. 1BR. 1NU duplex apt. Prime location. Available Bth, LR, DR, EIK...... $1,300 July-August. Call 917-822-1405, 5Town Homes ** 516-569-5710 e-mail [email protected]

72 June 24, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES FOR RENT VACATION LOST AND FOUND RENTAL Deadline for

Bayswater — First floor. New house. Vacation Village — 2 fl, 4 BR, LR, 3 Jewelry found on Shavuos in the Beautiful condition 3BR, 2bth. new bth, playrm, WD, beautiful view Woodmere-Cedarhurst area. Call 646-210-3664 Classified References a must...... $1,560 July/Aug 516-967-8370 or e-mail [email protected] Call 718-812-4106 Alexander Hotel, Miami Beach — 2BR Far Rockaway Apartment Rentals: 1, 2, apt. Breathtaking views, 2bths, southern Advertising and 3 BR available, completely renovat- exposure, 10th ﬂoor. Available for Pesach. LEGAL NOTICE ed, 24 Hr Doorman, Large LR/DR area, Priced right! 516-581-2058, 516-374-4001 Close to LIRR. Weissman Realty, LLC 516-791-6100 Notice of formation of Quatro in the Consulting, LLC. Art. of Org. filed with Cedarhurst — Garden apt. Nu 2 Mkt. MISCELLANEOUS the Secy of State of NY (SSNY) on Oversized 1BR, 1Bth, Mint, 1st Flr, heat 2/22/10. Office located in Nassau County. & prk incld ...... $1,600 next issue is 5 Towns Homes Realty 516-569-5710 SSNY has been designated for service of The Ocean Corp. 10840 Rockley Road, process. SSNY shall mail copy of any Houston, Texas 77099. Train for a New Far Rockaway — Renovated, new EIKs process served against the LLC to 264 Career. *Underwater Welder. 1 or 2BR, (3 rooms) hardwood floors, Grove Avenue, Cedarhurst, NY 11516. Monday, modern bth, parking ...... $850 Commercial Diver. *NDT/Weld Purpose: any lawful purpose. Studio. private entrance, available now Inspector. Job Placement Assistance...... $850 includes utilities Financial Aid available for those who Not. of Form. of ML Resource Fund XII 203-387-9991 qualify. 1-800-321-0298 LLC. Art. of org. filed with SSNY on June 27 02/11/11. County: Nassau. SSNY is desig- Lawrence — Newly-restored manor Yeshiva of South Shore has some mem- nated agent of LLC to whom process be house. Cent’l location. Hi Ceilings. Wd served. SSNY may mail a copy of any Floors. 4 large BR, Library, FDR, EIK, bership openings in its burial society. process to LLC, 29 Frost Lane, Den. New chef’s kitchen ...... $4,250 By purchasing an individual, couple or at 5:00 PM Lawrence NY 11559. Any legal act or 516-316-3176 family membership, you will be ensured activity of select plots in one of several New Cedarhurst — All updated charming York area cemeteries of your choosing. Not. of Form. of 533 Bayview Realty Col. New granite EIK, FDR, LR with For more information on burial society LLC. Art. of org. filed with SSNY on Call fireplace, 4+ BR, CAC, in the heart of membership, contact Eliezer Allman at 01/27/11. County: Nassau. SSNY is desig- Cedarhurst. Walk all. nated agent of LLC to whom process be Call 5 Towns Homes 516-569-5710 347-417-3777 or [email protected] served. SSNY may mail a copy of any 516-569-0502 Nice 1BR apt for rent in Georgetown, Helping poor brides is a big z’chus to process to LLC, 29 Frost Lane, Brooklyn . Walk to shuls. . . $1000/month. find a shidduch! Donate to Yad P’sucha Lawrence NY 11559. Any legal act or Call 917-696-0000 Hachnasas Kallah. Call 718-972-3699 activity

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 24, 2011 73 5TJT Puzzle: Straight Flush

BY YONI GLATT

Across 36. Ditto 1. CD follower 37. Hero of 34-Across 4. Chop 41. Shabbos night course, often 7. Not will be 43. Dryer 10. Eye woe 44. ___ ledodi 13. First mother 45. Clay, once 14. Vigoda or Lincoln 48. Instances 15. Jazz or Iron 52. Egypt was hit hard by them 16. Feeling when seeing the Grand 55. Jacket Canyon, perhaps 56. Former South American empire 17. Rep. foe, often 57. A legendary sword was in one 18. Temple builder 58. Jewish comedy legend 21. Jagged 63. Genetic letters 23. Dog ___ 64. Samuel worked under him 24. Alter 65. Recreation stick 25. A Hatzalah helper might put one on a 66. Goyish wedding words sprain 67. Zeppelin of note 30. Where the Baba Sali was born 68. Brittish time? 32. . ______friend indeed 69. Black mission? 33. Not many 70. Just made 34. See 37-Across 71. MD locales Solution to appear next week.

Down 1. Trade in 2. Go too far 3. Autobiography 4. Swan or Crystal 5. Wan preceder, of Jedi fame 6. Author 7. Sushi go-with 8. Greek congregations 9. Teen star Gomez 10. Adams of 59-Down 11. Number of sons of Zilpah 12. Asian currency 19. ___ whiz! 20. Some numbers 22. Clog 25. Land parcel 26. Shekel, e.g. 27. ______cry 28. Precious stone 29. Bo Peep might have lost one 31. Sport stick 35. Last name of a New York mascot 36. Choose 37. ___tuplet 38. Word before what (a bit) 39. Pairs 40. Clothing edge 41. Took a load off 42. Lone 45. Strong magnet (whose name is made of its contents periodic symbols) 46. Put on skates 47. You might play them on a smartphone 49. Lokshen 50. Leather maker 51. Positions 53. Water___ toothbrush 54. Dream Team jersey letters 57. There’s still a lot of it left in Utah 58. Ski option 59. See-10-Down 60. Spy org. 61. Say lashon ha’ra, e.g. 62. Work by Keats

74 June 24, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS Continued from Page 67 Kulanu Sunday Program Kulanu Sunday Activities Program offers a three hour recreation opportunity for children with developmental disabilities. The program runs on Sunday mornings from 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. during the school year. Special thanks to the Davidoff family for providing the funding for costly materials and shadow training and supervi- Kulanu thanks its many community volunteers for the genuine interest they showed while working with the children of Kulanu. sion for the Sunday program in memory of their beloved husband and father, Gilbert Davidoff, a’h. Moskani, Aliza Moskowitz, Jenny Rosenberg, Gaelyn Rosenberg, Talia David Soffer, Dani Sobin, Meir Spector, Kulanu was fortunate this year to have Moskowitz, Justin Moskowitz, Racheli Rosenbloom, Arianne Rothschild, Daniel Miri Spitz, Avraham Spraregeh, Nechama had so many community volunteers who Moskowitz, Sari Moskowitz, Jordana Rothschild, Lauren Rubin, Chloe Spraregeh, Yaakov Spraregeh, Loni worked side-by-side with the children as Mostel, Jacob Naiman, Shira Najjar, Ben Rudensky, Ophir Sabah, Elana Saffra, Stahler, Daniella Staple, Chaya Batya “shadows.” The peer model created many Oberstein, Emma Oberstein, Tzvi Odzer, Meira Saffra, Rebecca Saffra, Brittany Stern, Brianna Sternberg, Rebecca Sturm, friendships and shared joy between shad- Isabella Oliner, Lily Ottensoser, Nina Schacht, Madison Schecter. Felica Scharf, Josh Tal, Rachel Tal, Marc Talansky, Anna ows and participants. As the 2010-11 Ottensoser, Molly Ottensoser, Ben Ozer, Adam Schneiber, Russell Schneider, Taranara, Josh Tazner, Racheli Tuchman, school year closes, Kulanu wishes to rec- Aaron Ozeri, Leelah Paul, Akiva Perlysky, Mindy Schreck, Chaya Schwartz, Rachel Shoshi Tuchman, Rachel Verderosa, ognize the young men and women who Atara Perlysky, Eitan Perlysky, Talia Schreiber, Haley Schreiber, Rivka Schuss, Deborah Watman, Daniel Watman, Noah worked there: Devorah Adler, Daniel Perlysky, Sela Pollack, Jack Politsky, Ariel Gabrielle Segal, Jave Seigel, Kesem Shaier, Watman, Yael Waxman, Zahava Wiener, Aharon, Jonathan Alfier, Abigail Appel, Purnsrian, Joseph Raizy, Rebecca Rauch, Josh Shapiro, Jackie Siegel, Sherry Mark Weingarten, Sharon Weinstein, Matt Applebaum, Rebecca Aryeh, Sarah Kayla Reich, Teddy Richter, Abie Simkoric, Kayla Silverstein, Shira Aryeh, Meir Avracen, Elliott Baruch, Ringelheim, Victoria Rimear, Seth Silverstein, Sarah Skiar, Shiffy Sklar, Continued on Page 78 Stacey Bayer, Dassy Bienstock, Tova Ben- Ami, Emily Birnbaun, Atara Bistricer, Heather Bistricer, Tova Blander, Miriam Blander, Tovah Blank, Devorah Blank, Soifer Blossom, Pina Blumstein, Helene Boits, David Bouzaglou, Ari Brandspeigel, Yail Brandspeigel, Rikki Bruckenstein, Brett Bruh, Malkie Bugayer, Adina Buskin, Lenny Canales, Elissa Candiotti, Josh Candiotti, Hannah Chaikin, Albert Chavesta, Natalie Chavesta, Rebecca Chavesta, Danielle Chesir, Asaf Cohen, Brana Cohen, Max Cohen, Sam Cohen, Sapie Cohen, Jeffrey Cooper, Victoria Daniels, Adam Dressler, Jeremy Eichter, Ellie Fadlun, Gabriella Fadlun, Ahuva Fagan, Shira Fagan, Haddassa Farber, Jayde Farkas, Niki Farkas, Blima Fein, Chloe Fein, Jillian Feuerstein, Arielle Fisher, Anna Friedman, Yaakov Friedman, Rachel Fried, Rachel Frieling, Ruthie Frohlinger, Adina Fromowitz, Aliza Fromowitz. Avital Gettenberg, Sammy Gilbert, Leah Ginsberg, Isabel Glickman, Gabrielle Golan, Rachel Golan, Yoni Goldberg, Leah Goldblatt, Dvora Golombeck, Sam Goldstein, Ilana Goldstein, Jonah Goldstein, Margalit Graber, Emma Greenbaum, Carly Greenberg, Jaime Gross, Shoshi Gross, Elijah Gurvitch, Avigail Hackel, Rebecca Hagler, Matthew Haller, David Haskell, Eliana Hammer, Yonati Haymov, Netanya Haymov, Liz Heidenberg, Alan Heisman, Doni Hershkowitz, Ben Heller, Lauren Hirchler, Collick Holden, Moe Horowitz, Yehudit Horowitz, Aliza Isaacs, Leah Jacobson, Lori Joseph, George Josiah, Barbara Kaplan-Marans, Natasha Kaplan- Marans, Leora Keller, Brigitte Kestenbaum, Danielle Koppel, Gabriella Korn, Sophia Kotkes, Danielle Kramer, Thomas Kramer-Miller, Miriam Krauss, Jesse Kurz, Sarah Kurtz, Jennifer Langer, Tamar Leiderman, Mimi Leifer. Ayelet Lerman, Abby Lewin, Rikki Lewis, Abigail Lichter, Isaac Lichter,Jordana Lichter, Zoe Lindenfeld, Samantha Lish, Zahava Lowy,Rochel Lubin, Leah Lubin, Gavi Magder, Morgan Marc, Daniel Margarette, Jesse Margarette, Emily Matassa, Maggie Matassa, Robert McGowan, Zach Meyer, Anna Milgramm, Gabriel Miller, Joseph Miller, Eliana Millstone, Jackie Morduchowitz, Marc Morgan, Rona Morgan, Jordana Mortal, Jennifer 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 24, 2011 75 Spying Out The Land: Part IV

Ten Reasons Why You Should It is a shame that Parashat Shelach falls Live In Israel in June, at least for this purpose. The sum- If it is June, it must be time for yet mer is generally the “season of aliyah,” another one of my “ten more reasons to with most of the year’s immigrants com- come live in Israel” lists. Inspired by a ing from June through September. Nefesh B’Nefesh program, each year, However, in order to make a summer around the week of Parashat Shelach,I aliyah, one really needs to start the compile a list of 10 reasons (one for each process in the late summer or fall (some- of the spies who persuaded Am Yisrael to times even as late as Jan/Feb can also protest entering Israel in last week’s work—I know of one family that started parashah) that you should join us here in the process in April and still made it). For Israel. You can find lists I, II, and III on the time being, at least, those who have www.5tjt.com. decided to come are already committed

76 June 24, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES TRAVEL SECTION and those who are unsure will not be seri- are up to speed will leave you with an ously evaluating their decision for several outrageously smaller bill. months. If Shelach came out in 9. Yamim Tovim are generally only one September, I think this appeal would be day. Another repeat from two of the prior much more effective. lists. The evidence on this one is over- Since I do not control the calendar, I whelming. This year, once again, we will will have to make do with this week. be having a three day Rosh Hashanah. But Another ten reasons you should come that is all. The rest of our Tishrei season live in Israel: contains single day chagim. Conversely, 10. Tuition. This is the only item that you guys will be having a three day chag appears on all four of the top ten lists. Look three out of four weeks in that month. at your tuition bill for the upcoming year. That’s not all! This year you get an Take off the last zero, double it, and make added bonus! Shavuot begins on Motzaei it a shekel number instead of a dollar num- Shabbat, meaning that you will have a ber. That is what you are likely to pay. fourth three day chag in 5772! In contrast, Four kids in school? One of them in we will have only one three day chag, high school? Is your full tuition bill with a surprising two other two day chag- around $60,000? Your bill here (1 in high im (the final day of Pesach is a Friday and school, 3 in elementary school) is around the aforementioned Shavuot landing on 12,000 shekels—or a little over $3,500. Saturday night). Even adding fees for afterschool activities and private tutors to make sure the kids Continued on Page 79

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES TRAVEL SECTION June 24, 2011 77 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS Weitz, Chaya Wertman, Joseph Zimmerman, Sarah Zinn, Ben gas prices. Recent reports sug- lar unleaded gasoline has Continued from Page 75 Wolf, Marissa Wolfson, Valaria Zinn, and Gabrielle Zinnar. gest that refiners have cut back remained elevated. Schumer Young, Rachel Yudin, Arianna Kulanu apologizes if any names on gasoline stockpiles in an noted that gas prices skyrocket Shoshanna Weinstein, Sara Zark, Shayna Zelmanovitch, were inadvertently left out. O effort to decrease supply and right alongside the price of Weitz, Rodrigo Ulloa, Rikki Rivka Zimmerman, Aviva inflate the price of gas at the crude oil, but the decrease in oil At Schumer’s Urging, pump. The Energy Information prices has not translated into FTC Will Launch An Administration initially released substantial drops in the price at Investigation Into Possible data showing that refiners are the pump. O Price Gouging Of Gas operating at just over 80% of U.S. Senator Charles E. their capacity, which translated Schumer recently announced to a decrease of 900,000 barrels that the Federal Trade per day when compared to 2010 And they, Commission (FTC) has granted output levels. Since last year, his request and will begin an refiners’ profits have more than and all that immediate investigation into doubled. While crude oil prices was theirs, U.S. oil refiners who may be have come down in recent responsible for continued high weeks, the average price of regu- descended into the abyss (Bamidbar 16:33) Rabbi Berechia said in the name of Rabbi Chelbo: Even their names flew off all written documents. Rabbi Yossei bar Chanina said: Even a needle of theirs on loan in the hands of another man was swallowed up with them.

(Jerusalem Talmud)

78 June 24, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES TRAVEL SECTION ALIYAH CHRONICLE the day off and make you feel uncomfort- reviewing my prior lists, I was absolutely miss out on. How can you continue to fail able about your need to leave early and astounded to discover that I had not to capitalize on this great opportunity? O Continued from Page 77 then make up the time elsewhere. included this fact before. 8. The leader of our government (Prime 2. Gain a greater appreciation for your I refer not only to the mitzvah of living Shmuel Katz is the editor of Koleinu Minister Bibi Netanyahu) gets more/loud- daily miracles. We live in a land that in Israel, but also to the many other (www.koleinu.co.il), a new Israeli newspaper affiliated with the Five Towns Jewish Times. er applause and a better welcome from the clearly survives as a nation through mitzvot that can only be observed here. Shmuel, his wife Goldie, and their six children U.S. Congress than does the leader of your Divine Providence. Rockets land in pre- Separating terumot and ma’asrot. Birchat made aliyah in July of 2006. Prior to his aliyah, Shmuel was the executive director of the Yeshiva government (President Barak Obama). An school yards just minutes before the chil- Kohanim every single day. There are so of South Shore in Hewlett. You can contact him at item that I listed last year as well. dren arrive or after they have left. many examples of mitzvot that you simply [email protected]. Terrorists are identified through extraordinary intelligence information. It often seems that the entire world has lined up Coincidences are the to have a hand in our imminent destruction. Yet, thankfully, something happens norm here. You begin to to throw a wrench in their gears. recognize that someone Our daily lives are no exception. Coincidences are the norm here. Often, is pulling the strings you can bump into someone who is going to the exact place you need to send upstairs. a package to or someone who can give your kid the ride to the afterschool program you can’t get home to take care of. You begin to recognize that someone is 7. Broaden your career options. Tired of pulling the strings upstairs. your chosen vocation? Move to Israel! So 1. It is a mitzvah. If you noticed, this is many people switch careers here that it (to my great shame) not a repeat of an should be listed as a career in and of item that I included in any prior list. In itself. Lawyers turned gardeners. Doctors preparing to write this column and turned vintners. Even yeshiva administra- tors turned into newspaper publishers. If you don’t want to totally switch careers, many people here open some form of business as a second income. I know a web designer who manufactures liquor, a pediatrician who makes wine, and many other people who simply broaden their career horizons here. 6. Improve your Torah learning.t No for the reasons you might think. The vast majority of sefarim are written in Hebrew (or at least translated from whatever lan- guage they were written in, into Hebrew). Living in Israel forces most people to vastly improve their spoken Hebrew skills, which leads to a deeper understanding of the written word. This also applies to davening and understanding things like berachos a little better. 5. Passion in life and in politicss. Let’ face it. You have to be a little fanatical to uproot your family and move 6,000 miles to live in Israel. People who are fanatical in one area, especially this one, tend to be fanatical in other parts of their lives as well. So, we have people who believe very passionately in their causes and have proven that they will go to great ends to achieve their goals. I am not saying that there aren’t many committed and passionate people in galut.I just think there are more here and that the greater numbers lead to much more community involve- ment. And we feed off of each other. 4. Land of Opportunity. It seems like the entire country is “under construction.” There are so many new communities that spring up each year that everyone has a chance to make their own mark in his or her own way. Shuls, chesed organizations, volunteering—you name it, the opportunities are there to not only get involved, but to lead, in a very meaningful way.You can be the president of your shul or help run the food pantry, because this ever- developing land has a lot of needs. 3. Early Friday? No problem. No more running to catch that last minute train and hustle in to the house just minutes before Shabbat starts on those early winter Fridays. Most people don’t even work on Fridays and those who do have no problem making Shabbat without undue stress. No longer will your coworkers semi-jokingly tease you about taking half 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES TRAVEL SECTION June 24, 2011 79 began laughing at Moshe, and with this looking to find an unanswerable question Korach launched his revolt. to disprove Moshe, he could have asked Korach’s question wasn’t that powerful. this or many other difficult questions. It seems clear from the Midrash that What was so unanswerable about the Korach’s strategy was to ask a question so techeiles question that it caused 250 Torah powerful that Moshe wouldn’t be able to scholars to laugh at Moshe’s answer? answer it. This would prove that what he The answer is based on understanding Answers Don’t Have Answers said couldn’t be from Hashem. The diffi- how bias blinds the mind of man. culty is this: What was so potent about the Questions have answers; answers have Korach—son of Yitzhar, son of Kahas, saying things in the name of Hashem that question that Korach asked? It might well no answers. Rav Chaim Volozhin was once son of Levi—separated himself, with Hashem never told him to say. be that a garment made of plain wool approached by a student who had left the Dassan and Aviram, sons of Eliav, and On, Rashi cites the Midrash, which relates requires tzitzis with one strand of yeshiva. This was at a time when the the son of Peleth, the offspring of Reuven. that to prove his point, Korach gathered 250 techeiles, and that a garment made com- Enlightenment was in full swing, and —Bamidbar 16:1 leaders of the Jewish people and gave each pletely of techeiles still requires tzitzis with many young, impressionable yeshiva stu- Korach’s rebellion. The parashah opens one a tallis made completely of techeiles. (A a strand of techeiles in it. The question dents were struck by the lure of modern with Korach gathering together 250 men tallis requires only one strand of the tzitzis doesn’t seem particularly bothersome. studies’ promise to fulfill all of mankind’s of stature and mounting a rebellion to be dyed the purple-blue color of Furthermore, if Korach wanted to ask needs. The Torah’s ways were seen as archa- against Moshe and Hashem. techeiles.) Korach brought this group in questions, there are far more difficult ques- ic and outdated; science alone could pro- Rashi explains that Korach’s motiva- front of Moshe and asked, “If someone has tions that he could have asked. The vide the answers to all that ailed the world. tion was jealousy; he felt that he should a garment made completely of techeiles, is Midrash tells us that Shlomo haMelech This student, after having been outside have been appointed to the position of he obligated to put tzitzis on it?” couldn’t understand the system of the the yeshiva for a while, wanted to return. nasi of his sheivet, and was seeking Moshe answered, “He is obligated.” parah adumah. The purpose of the parah “I want to come back,” he told Rav Chaim, revenge. Even though Moshe Rabbeinu “Does that make sense?” Korach adumah is to purify the person sprinkled “but I have many questions.” Rav Chaim was commanded by Hashem to appoint demanded. “A garment that is made com- with its ashes, so why should the kohein asked him, “Did these questions come to Elitzaphan ben Uziel to that position, pletely of wool requires only one strand who sprinkles the ashes become impure you when you were in yeshiva or after Korach felt that Moshe made this decision of techeiles, and yet you say that a gar- by doing it? If it is an act that purifies, how you left?” The boy innocently asked, on his own, and he set out to depose him. ment made completely of techeiles needs can it make the one doing the act impure? “What difference does it make? These are He would set out to prove that Moshe was additional techeiles!” The entire group This is an enigma. Surely if Korach were questions that I have.” Rav Chaim responded, “If these questions troubled you before you left yeshiva, they are questions, and for questions I have answers. However, if these questions only began troubling you after you left yeshiva, then they aren’t questions; they are answers. For answers, I have no answers.” Bias blinds a man. Rav Chaim was explaining a basic principle of man—that is, bias greatly affects our ability to understand. If a person has a prejudice against a way of thinking, then he isn’t open-mind- ed and he becomes incapable of hearing the truth, no matter how clear and no matter how obvious. He just isn’t listening. To allow for free will, Hashem gave man this uncanny ability to shut down his mind, to ignore all proofs and all logic and to blind- ly follow his desires. When a man has made up his mind and doesn’t want to hear the truth, there is nothing that can prove him wrong. His mind is shut. This seems to be the answer to understanding Korach’s question. Korach was- n’t approaching Moshe to seek the truth; his sole intention was to mock and dis- credit Moshe. With that mindset, the strength of the question and whether there was an answer to it didn’t matter. There was no question, only scorn and derision in the guise of a question. This concept has great relevance in our lives. There will be times when we are perplexed by situations that we don’t understand. We don’t know which way to turn, and the answers that we seek aren’t forthcoming. It may well be that we can’t find the answer; but sometimes when the answer eludes us, it’s not because the answer isn’t there, but because we aren’t listening. Sometimes the answer may be right there, but we aren’t open to it, so we can’t hear it. It’s not that there aren’t answers; it is that we aren’t asking questions. Hashem created man with a heart of truth, and if a person puts aside his bias and opens his mind, he is capable of hearing the answer. O

For more on this topic, please listen to Shmuz 168: “Emunah.” The new Shmuz book, Stop Surviving and Start Living, is now in print! It is a powerful, inspiring work that deals with major life issues. Copies are available in stores, at www.TheShmuz.com, or by calling 866-613-TORAH (613-8672). 80 June 24, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES TRAVEL SECTION 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES TRAVEL SECTION June 24, 2011 81 82 June 24, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 24, 2011 83 84 June 24, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES